Denpasar, Bali (ANTARA) – The Bali Provincial Government and the Kingdom of Thailand are exploring stronger strategic cooperation spanning tourism to healthcare services.
“Improved flight access is a key factor in boosting foreign tourist arrivals, while supporting the development of quality tourism in Bali,” Bali Governor Wayan Koster said when receiving the Thai Ambassador to Indonesia, Prapan Disyatat, in Denpasar, Bali, on Wednesday.
Koster emphasized that the Bali Provincial Government continues to restructure the tourism sector to achieve quality and sustainable tourism.
This overhaul includes strengthening supervision and law enforcement against foreign tourists who commit violations.
Foreign tourists violating immigration regulations face administrative sanctions, including deportation, while criminal offenses are processed under applicable laws.
The governor noted that Thai tourists have remained compliant while vacationing in Bali.
As of October 2026, around 32 thousand tourists from Thailand visited Bali, with the figure projected to reach 38 thousand by the end of the year.
Beyond tourism, Governor Koster stated that Bali is stepping up environmental management through a waste-to-energy (WtE) facility.
Construction of the WtE facility in Bali has been underway since July 2026, with a projected capacity to process up to 1,500 tons of waste daily.
During the meeting, the Thai delegation expressed its commitment to direct flights.
Ambassador Prapan Disyatat noted that direct flight connectivity between Bali and Thailand plays a strategic role in boosting Indonesian and Thai tourist mobility, while strengthening the two nations’ ties.
According to him, over 40 thousand Thai citizens traveled to Indonesia throughout 2025.
Beyond tourism, he also expressed interest in exploring collaboration in waste management technology to support sustainable solutions for environmental issues.
Thailand is also exploring cooperation opportunities in healthcare services and medical tourism at the Sanur Special Economic Zone (SEZ), including the potential for developing plastic surgery services.
The ambassador commended Governor Koster’s leadership while praising Bali’s air quality and serene atmosphere, ideal for health recovery.
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Translator: Ni Putu, Raka Adji
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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