Thapanee Kiatphaiboon has officially assumed her role as the new Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). With a career at TAT dating back to 1999, she has held various key positions within the organization, including Deputy Governor for Tourism Products and Business, and most recently, Deputy Governor for Domestic Marketing.
During her tenure as Deputy Governor for Domestic Marketing, Thapanee spearheaded several impactful tourism initiatives aimed at bolstering Thailand’s economy. Notable initiatives included promoting workation in Thailand, faith and religious tourism routes, and solo travel, which collectively contributed to stimulating 151.45 million domestic trips in 2022, nearly 88% of the record set in 2019, generating 641.5 billion Baht.
Thapanee’s leadership was instrumental in launching the Amazing Thailand Safety and Health Administration (SHA) certification program during her role as Deputy Governor for Tourism Products and Business. The new TAT governor also initiated the Special Tourist Visa (STV) scheme to promote Thailand’s reopening, leading to other entry schemes like Villa Quarantine, Yacht Quarantine, Golf Quarantine, and the internationally acclaimed Phuket Sandbox model for the country’s reopening.
Thapanee’s proficiency in technology and social media played a crucial role in leveraging these platforms for Thailand’s tourism promotion and development. Her accomplishments include the Google Street View project in collaboration with Google Thailand and the management of ’Amazing Thailand’ social media platforms.
Recognized as a proponent of special interest tourism products, Thapanee has contributed to the development of health and wellness tourism, yacht and cruise tourism, community tourism, and the award-winning “King’s Wisdom for Sustainable Tourism” project, which received the PATA Grand Awards 2018 in the Education and Training category.
In her earlier years at TAT, Thapanee received recognition for her efforts in promoting and developing intra-regional travel within the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS). (NNT)
