Jaturon Phakdeewanich, Director General, Department of Tourism, Thailand – Thai International Travel Fair 2026

Speaking at the Thai International Travel Fair 2026, Mr. Jaturon Phakdeewanich, Director-General of Thailand’s Department of Tourism, is leading initiatives to boost tourism revenue, strengthen international film production, and improve industry standards. He focuses on sustainable, high-value, and “film-friendly” tourism, setting significant revenue targets for 2026 following a successful 2025.

Key Responsibilities and Initiatives

– Film Industry Growth: As head of the department overseeing the Thailand Film Office, Jaturon drives strategies to promote Thailand as a top-tier filming destination, attracting global productions.

– Strategic Tourism Targets: He announced a 10% target increase in foreign film shoot revenue, following a record-breaking 2025, making 2025 where over 546 productions brought in over 7.717 billion baht.

– Muslim-Friendly Tourism: Jaturon is actively promoting the development of Muslim-friendly services (halal food, prayer facilities) to capture a larger share of the fast-growing global Muslim tourist market.

– Standards and Sustainability: He works to enhance the quality of tourism operators and services, focusing on “Tourism for All” and sustainable development to improve the overall visitor experience.

– International Representation: He represents the department at major events, such as the Beijing International Film Festival and Expo 2025 Osaka, promoting Thailand’s cultural, wellness, and scenic assets.