Ms Jetsumon Sumayteepradit meets Natthriya Thaweevong, Thailand’s Permanent Secretary for Tourism at the ASEAN Tourism Forum 2026
The ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) 2026 in the Philippines brought together senior government officials, tourism leaders and international media from across Southeast Asia. During the event, Ms. Jetsumon Sumayteepradit, Deputy Provincial Education Officer of the Thailand Ministry of Education in Samut Prakan, was delighted to meet Ms. Natthriya Thaweevong, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism and Sports of Thailand.
The brief meeting highlighted the growing relationship between education, tourism development and regional cooperation, particularly within the ASEAN community. For Ms. Jetsumon, participation in major tourism gatherings such as the ASEAN Tourism Forum provides an opportunity to explore how Thailand’s education sector can contribute to the development of tourism talent and future industry leaders.
As Thailand continues to strengthen its global tourism position, closer collaboration between education authorities, government agencies and the tourism industry will be essential in preparing students for careers in hospitality, destination management and cultural tourism.
Strengthening Education and Tourism Collaboration
Ms. Jetsumon Sumayteepradit has been actively involved in educational development in Samut Prakan Province, supporting initiatives that improve teacher training, curriculum innovation and professional development within the Thai education system.
Meeting senior tourism policymakers at international events such as ATF provides valuable insights into how education can better align with Thailand’s tourism strategies. Tourism remains one of the country’s most significant economic sectors, and preparing a skilled workforce is essential for long-term sustainability.
By engaging with tourism leaders, Ms. Jetsumon continues to explore opportunities where education and tourism intersect, particularly in areas such as:
- Hospitality and tourism education
- Cultural heritage interpretation
- Sustainable tourism development
- International tourism cooperation within ASEAN
Events such as ATF demonstrate how regional dialogue can strengthen both policy and education frameworks across Southeast Asia.
Profile: Natthriya Thaweevong – Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Tourism and Sports, Thailand
Ms. Natthriya Thaweevong is one of Thailand’s most senior tourism administrators and currently serves as Permanent Secretary of Thailand’s Ministry of Tourism and Sports, the highest-ranking civil service position within the ministry. In this role she oversees the administration and implementation of Thailand’s national tourism and sports policies.
Her responsibilities include coordinating government agencies, tourism authorities and industry stakeholders to support Thailand’s tourism development and international promotion.
Since 2024, Natthriya Thaweevong has also served as Chairman of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), further strengthening her influence on the strategic direction of Thai tourism.
Her career in public service spans several senior government positions, including:
- Deputy Secretary-General to the Prime Minister for Administration at the Office of the Prime Minister (2022–2024)
- Advisor to the Prime Minister for Civil Service Affairs
- Director of the Government Spokesperson Bureau (2016–2021)
- Senior public relations and policy roles within the Prime Minister’s Secretariat.
Through these positions she has developed extensive experience in government communications, public administration and national policy coordination.
Ms. Natthriya has also completed several executive leadership programmes including:
- Foreign Affairs Executive Programme at the Devawongse Varopakarn Institute of Foreign Affairs
- Civil Service Executive Development Programme
- National Defense Course at the National Defence College
- Strategic Communication and Public Relations programme at the International School of Communication in London.
These programmes reflect her strong background in strategic governance, international cooperation and public sector leadership.
As Permanent Secretary, Natthriya Thaweevong plays a key role in shaping policies aimed at strengthening Thailand’s tourism competitiveness while maintaining visitor safety, service quality and sustainable development across the country. She has also supported government initiatives aimed at improving tourism regulation, combating illegal tour operations and strengthening tourist confidence in Thailand as a safe destination.
Her leadership also extends to international cooperation, where Thailand works closely with ASEAN partners to develop tourism connectivity and regional promotion strategies.
Thailand’s Role at ASEAN Tourism Forum 2026
At ATF 2026, Ms. Natthriya led Thailand’s participation in ministerial-level discussions and tourism cooperation meetings involving ASEAN member states. The forum focused on strengthening collaboration across the region while promoting Southeast Asia as a single tourism destination.
For Ms. Jetsumon Sumayteepradit, meeting such senior tourism leadership at ATF highlighted the importance of cross-sector collaboration between education and tourism. The exchange reflected a shared vision: preparing future generations to contribute to Thailand’s tourism sector while supporting regional cooperation across ASEAN.
