Bali Governor Wayan Koster commended the conduct of Thai tourists during a meeting with the Thai ambassador to Indonesia, Prapan Disyatat, at the governor’s official residence, Jayasabha, in Denpasar on Tuesday, November 10.
The governor said that visitors from Thailand have remained generally orderly and avoided causing significant issues during their stays. This positive assessment of Thai travelers coincides with ongoing provincial efforts to enforce stricter oversight of all foreign visitors to the island.
Did You Know? Bali recorded approximately 32,000 tourist arrivals from Thailand through October 2026, with officials projecting that total to reach roughly 38,000 by the end of the year.
The provincial government continues to promote a model of “quality tourism” as it monitors foreign nationals more closely. Koster said that the administration is committed to making the local industry more sustainable through rigorous enforcement of existing regulations.
Foreigners who violate immigration requirements face potential administrative measures, including deportation. Those suspected of criminal offenses are subject to the standard Indonesian legal process, according to the governor.
Expert Insight: The governor’s remarks characterize a shift toward balancing the economic necessity of international arrivals with a demand for stricter adherence to local laws.
Beyond tourism, the meeting between Koster and Ambassador Disyatat addressed potential collaboration in waste management and healthcare. The ambassador expressed interest in increasing direct flight connectivity to encourage further travel between the two regions, noting that more than 40,000 Thai nationals visited Indonesia throughout 2025.
The two parties discussed a waste-to-energy project currently under development with Danantara Indonesia and the Chinese firm PT Weiming. Once the facility becomes operational, it is expected to process up to 1,500 tonnes of waste daily.
In the healthcare sector, officials explored potential partnerships within the Sanur Special Economic Zone. Discussions included the possibility of future collaboration in medical tourism, specifically regarding plastic surgery services, though no binding agreements or implementation timelines have been finalized.
The governor described Thai visitors as generally orderly and noted they had not caused notable problems. His assessment was presented as part of a broader discussion on tourism and was not accompanied by comparative statistics regarding immigration violations or criminal cases involving other nationalities.
The project is currently under development in partnership with Danantara Indonesia and PT Weiming. It is designed to process up to 1,500 tonnes of waste per day upon completion.
No. While the governor and the ambassador discussed potential cooperation in tourism, waste management, and healthcare, no binding agreements or specific implementation schedules were announced at the conclusion of the meeting.
Will the interest in improving direct flight connectivity between Thailand and Bali lead to a formal change in travel policy?
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