Thailand is accelerating plans to develop new cruise terminals on both its Gulf and Andaman coasts, aiming to strengthen its position in cruise tourism and increase visitor numbers. The Transport Ministry confirmed discussions with Royal Caribbean Group (RCG), which is targeting 120,000 visitors to Thailand this year through more than 45 cruise calls. The initiative is expected to ease port congestion and improve the country’s ability to handle large cruise vessels.

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The proposal forms part of a broader government push to expand tourism infrastructure and capture higher-value travel segments. The ministry recently held talks with senior RCG executives, led by Deputy Permanent Secretary for Transport and Head of the Transport Cluster, Panya Chupanich, alongside Wendy Yamazaki, Regional Vice President for Government Relations in Asia at RCG. Representatives from the Port Authority of Thailand also joined the discussions via video conference.

Authorities are focusing on developing large-scale cruise terminals under public-private partnership (PPP) models to attract private investment. Key locations under consideration include Koh Samui, Phuket and the upper Gulf of Thailand, with feasibility studies assessing potential sites between Pattaya and Sattahip. The aim is to create a connected cruise network linking both coasts and integrating Thailand more effectively into global cruise routes.

Both the government and RCG acknowledged that rapid growth in cruise tourism presents challenges, particularly a shortage of port facilities capable of accommodating large, world-class ships. Discussions centred on improving infrastructure and operational standards to support increasing demand. The expansion is seen as essential to sustaining tourism-led economic growth.

To support potential investors, the Transport Ministry is preparing detailed development plans for Laem Chabang Port and other high-potential areas. These plans will include clear project timelines, which will be shared with RCG and other interested investors to aid business planning and investment decisions. Officials emphasised the importance of coordinated development to ensure long-term success.

The Nation reported that feasibility studies will determine final locations and project scope, while the government continues engaging with private partners. The initiative reflects Thailand’s ambition to strengthen its global tourism standing by improving infrastructure and expanding cruise travel capacity.

Picture courtesy of The Nation

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Adapted by ASEAN Now Nation 23 Mar 2026

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this effort is for inbound cruises not outbound, try and book a cruise from Thailand and you will come up with nothing - why is that ?

Why is Thailand constant doing things that has not direct big influence on tourists sector, just like this.. The expensive THB and the scams are holding tourists away, and now with the oil problems even less tourists will come,. Maybe first start to make travelling in Thailand safer, stop double standards, find new ways to attrack tourists, as mentioned already for example organize cruises, etc,,, Building everywhere is only supporting the people involved as money will disappear in those pockets

Improve the current crumbling infrastructure and services first.

1 hour ago, smedly said:

this effort is for inbound cruises not outbound, try and book a cruise from Thailand and you will come up with nothing - why is that ?

maybe need to wait.

it's probably coming.

and this would be great news. no need to take a flight to hong kong / tokyo / singapore to hitch a cruise

Every few years, for decades now, they keep trotting out the old, tired Pattaya is going to cruise ship port.....Yawn...

The ocean depth is simply too shallow for mega cruise ships to dock in Pattaya.

Sattahip would work just fine for Cruise ships, except Sattahip is a complete bore and Cruise ships have zero interest in going there...

6 minutes ago, redwood1 said:

except Sattahip is a complete bore and Cruise ships have zero interest in going there...

Is that why they dock at Laem Chabang instead ?

What fuel will the cruise ships burn?

Thailand’s mega‑port ambitions sound impressive on paper, but other countries’ experiences show it’s rarely smooth sailing.

Major cruise hubs like Venice, Barcelona, and even parts have struggled with environmental pushback, overcrowding, dredging impacts, and ballooning maintenance costs. Thailand may face similar issue, especially with EIA/EHIA hurdles already delaying projects in Samui and Pattaya.

If Thailand wants to avoid the pitfalls seen elsewhere, it’ll need more than shiny terminals: transparent planning, strict environmental safeguards, and realistic projections of cruise‑industry volatility are essential. Otherwise, these “mega ports” risk becoming mega headaches.

Thailand going for the easy tourist money again only benefiting

a small number of people.

1 hour ago, blaze master said:

Improve the current crumbling infrastructure and services first.

I don't know about where you are but there seems to be a sudden push to reconstruct / resurface roads and put in drains around the place.... havoc pending..

Always these big big plans for the (world's) biggest, largest and best - a great opportunity for corrupt government officials and local criminal families to make more money.

Try fixing the education system, the health care system, infrastructure and enforcing the laws of the land first.

1 hour ago, JimHuaHin said:

Try fixing the health care system,

what is wrong with the health care system ?