The Thai government is positioning Thailand as the central tourism hub of the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS). On 20 October 2026, the Cabinet approved a draft agreement to establish the Greater Mekong Subregion Tourism Office (GMSTO) in Thailand, as proposed by the Ministry of Tourism and Sports.

The Cabinet also authorized the Minister of Tourism and Sports to sign the agreement, which was jointly developed by the six GMS member nations: Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, and China.

Operating as an intergovernmental organization, the GMSTO will serve as a core mechanism to work out plans, coordinate joint tourism strategies, develop tourism products and sites, promote investment, and facilitate seamless cross-border travel. It will also be responsible for strengthening public-private partnerships and collaborating with international partners.

Originally established in Thailand in 2005 as the Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office, the office previously lacked official legal status. The draft agreement on GMSTO aims to elevate it into an international legal entity, enabling it to operate and manage cooperation more systematically. It will be housed at the Department of Tourism, Ministry of Tourism and Sports.

Once all six member countries have signed the draft agreement, a Host Country Agreement will be prepared to outline the details regarding privileges and operations under Thai law, which will be submitted to the Cabinet for consideration once again.

Deputy Government Spokesperson Lalida Persvivatana said that, as the host of the GMSTO, Thailand will play a greater role as a tourism cooperation hub, connecting international tourism, increasing opportunities for entrepreneurs, and promoting regional tourism investment.