“We aim to be No 1 in sport tourism in the region. The ministry will use sport as a key measure to drive the economy,” Tourism and Sports Minister Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul said.

She said the government would encourage neighbouring countries to bring major sporting events to Thailand, while also urging young Thais to participate in such events on a regional and even global scale.

Meanwhile, the ministry will promote the “Sport for All” concept as part of this year’s theme unveiled by the World Tourism and Travel Council last week in Bangkok. In response to this campaign, the ministry will organise sporting events for disabled people every week.

Last year, tourism generated revenue of Bt2.2 trillion, or 16.5 per cent of gross domestic product, ranking Thailand as the world’s sixth-largest beneficiary of tourism revenue.

“Tourism receipts are anticipated to increase to Bt2.4 trillion from the 33 million tourist arrivals expected this year, accounting for 17.6 per cent of GDP,” Kobkarn said.

The ministry yesterday celebrated its 14th anniversary by emphasising its continuing strategies.

It said it would focus on quality leisure destinations and sustainable growth; creating more tourism products including eight tourism clusters and 12 second-tier destinations; promoting eight border areas; boosting medical tourism; improving tourism management; raising safety awareness; improving the information database; and continuing to crack down on illegal tourism practices.

The latest initiative launched by the Tourism Authority of Thailand is called “eight travel experiences in four provinces”. They entail tuk-tuks in Bangkok, ruea hua tong (long-tail boats) in Krabi, horse-drawn carriages in Lampang and “skylab” motor-tricycles in Loei province.