The ministry is in charge of managing the tourist industry and sports both in schools and other institutions.

The ministry organizes and directs Thailand's important sporting events.

As of October 2019[update], the Minister of Tourism and Sports is Phipat Ratchakitprakarn.

To overcome the objection, the government added tourism to the ministry's portfolio.

TAT's success in driving up numbers—more than 35 million visitors arrived in 2017—has overwhelmed the 130 employees responsible for managing the industry.