Reviving Waning Optimism for Halal Business Center
Thailand is making significant strides in becoming a preferred destination for Muslim travellers, with a focus on enhancing the overall Muslim travel experience. The country's efforts and promising progress in halal tourism are evident in the increasing number of halal restaurants and hotels.
The Thai government has launched a five-year halal development plan, aiming to establish Thailand as a "halal hub" in Southeast Asia by 2027. This plan focuses on expanding halal industries in food, apparel, and services, while also enhancing tourism offerings specifically for Muslim visitors.
One of the key initiatives in this plan is the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) actively promoting the country as a halal-friendly destination. The TAT is increasing halal food certifications, raising the number of Muslim-friendly accommodations, and improving prayer facilities in popular tourist areas such as Bangkok, Phuket, and Chiang Mai.
A notable development in the hospitality sector is the opening of Thailand's first Muslim-friendly hotel, the Rembrandt hotel in downtown Bangkok. The hotel has invested in a separate Halal kitchen system to prevent cross-contamination and has integrated Muslim-conscious services into its operations, including the availability of Arabic-speaking staff and Muslim chefs to ensure Halal practices are followed. The Rembrandt hotel was certified as a level-two Muslim-friendly hotel by the TMTA in June, making it the first hotel in Thailand to have collaborated with TMTA.
The hotel's concierge team offers personalized assistance with Muslim-friendly sightseeing, shopping, and dining recommendations. This level of service is crucial in determining whether Thailand is considered a Muslim-friendly destination, as emphasized by Mr Fuad, the vice president of TMTA.
The Rembrandt hotel expects to attain a higher level of certification once certain regulations and practices are in place by August. Thai veterinarian Ninareeman Binnima, who initiated the Muslim-friendly hotel, is also working on launching a Muslim-friendly ranking certification for hotels in Thailand, on behalf of the TMTA. This certification, called the Global Muslim Friendly Hospitality Index, has three levels of certification.
Binnima has also identified gaps in the market for Halal restaurants at Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports in Bangkok. The F&B division of an unnamed hotel is working towards full Halal compliance under Level 3.
The growing reputation of Thailand as a Muslim-friendly destination is further highlighted by CrescentRating’s 2025 report, which ranks Thailand as the rising Muslim-friendly non-OIC (Organization of Islamic Cooperation) destination. The report indicates that Thailand is becoming increasingly attractive to Muslim tourists, particularly from Southeast Asia, due to these combined efforts.
The use of technology is also facilitating halal tourism in Thailand, with the Halal Route app providing Muslim travelers comprehensive information on halal food options, prayer facilities, and other Muslim-friendly services, enabling easier navigation of Thailand’s offerings.
These initiatives demonstrate Thailand’s commitment to enhancing the Muslim traveler experience by expanding halal dining options, establishing certified Muslim-friendly accommodations, and utilizing technology to support halal tourism. With projections indicating that the Muslim travel market will grow significantly in the coming years, Thailand is well-positioned to capitalize on this growth and become a leading Muslim-friendly tourism destination.
The Thai government's five-year halal development plan includes expanding halal industries not only in food but also in apparel and services, aligning with the Tourism Authority of Thailand's (TAT) efforts to promote Thailand as a halal-friendly destination in the business sector. Furthermore, the launch of the Rembrandt hotel in Bangkok, Thailand's first Muslim-friendly hotel, is a significant step in the hospitality Industry, offering halal food and Muslim-conscious services to cater to the increasing number of Muslim travelers.
