Bali and Thailand Explore Strategic Cooperation in Tourism and Medical Services

Bali is looking to expand its economic footprint beyond traditional leisure as the provincial government and the Kingdom of Thailand explore strategic cooperation in healthcare and tourism services, Tempo.co reported.

The discussions, held in Denpasar on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, center on a multi-layered approach to regional connectivity and specialized service industries. Officials are targeting everything from direct flight paths to the development of high-end medical tourism within the Sanur Special Economic Zone (SEZ).

“Improved flight access is a key factor in boosting foreign tourist arrivals, while supporting the development of quality tourism in Bali,” said Wayan Koster, the Bali Governor, when receiving the Thai Ambassador to Indonesia, Prapan Disyatat.

Expanding medical and flight connectivity

A major pillar of the proposed cooperation involves the Sanur Special Economic Zone, where Thailand is exploring opportunities in healthcare services and medical tourism. This includes specific interest in the development of plastic surgery services to cater to an international clientele.

Ambassador Prapan Disyatat said that establishing direct flight connectivity between Bali and Thailand would play a strategic role in increasing mobility for tourists from both nations. The push for better logistics comes as Thailand continues to provide many visitors for the Indonesian province.

The economic scale of this relationship is evident in recent travel data. According to Tempo.co, over 40,000 Thai citizens traveled to Indonesia throughout 2025. In Bali specifically, approximately 32,000 tourists from Thailand had visited by October 2026, a figure that is projected to reach 38,000 by the end of the year.

Prioritizing sustainable and regulated growth

While pursuing new markets, the Bali Provincial Government is simultaneously attempting to refine its existing tourism model. Governor Koster emphasized a shift toward “quality and sustainable tourism,” a strategy that involves stricter oversight of the visitor experience.

This restructuring includes heightened supervision and law enforcement aimed at foreign tourists who violate local regulations. Under these protocols, visitors who breach immigration rules face administrative sanctions, including deportation, while those committing criminal offenses are processed under applicable laws. The governor said that Thai tourists have remained compliant while vacationing in Bali.

Environmental management has also become a central component of the province’s long-term stability. To combat the pressures of increased visitor numbers, Bali is moving forward with a waste-to-energy (WtE) facility. Construction of the facility has been underway since July 2026, and it is designed with a projected capacity to process up to 1,500 tons of waste daily.

The Thai delegation expressed interest in this area as well, looking to explore collaboration in waste management technology to support sustainable environmental solutions. Ambassador Disyatat praised the island’s air quality and serene atmosphere, describing them as ideal for health recovery.

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