One of the standout accomplishments of the year is securing the prestigious International Horticultural Exposition 2029. In March 2024, the International Association of Horticultural Producers (AIPH) selected Nakhon Ratchasima, also known as Korat, in the northeastern part of Thailand as the official host city. This success came after a competitive bid led by TCEB, in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, which will serve as the primary host organization, alongside the local government of Nakhon Ratchasima.
Mr. Chiruit Isarangkun Na Ayuthaya, TCEB President stated: “Of all 4 key regions of Thailand, the Northeast is the lesser-known destination. Hosting the International Horticultural Exposition in Korat will be a major showcase of the region’s capability in staging world events. It will be a significant milestone for the region in positioning itself for the MICE industry. Currently, TCEB has the northeastern bureau in charge of working in partnership with the region aiming to develop this part of Thailand as one more capable destination.”
In the southern region of Thailand, Phuket, one of the country’s prominent MICE Cities, was selected in April to host the Global Sustainable Tourism Conference (GSTC) in 2026. This prestigious event further strengthens the island’s standing on the global stage, following two major accomplishments earlier in the year – successfully hosting the UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy Annual Conference 2024 and receiving the ‘2024 World Festival & Event City’ award from the International Festivals & Events Association (IFEA).
Meanwhile, in the northern region, Phitsanulok province was chosen by IFEA-Asia in September to host the World Cultural Heritage City and Night Festival Conference 2025. This marks the city’s first international conference, after being designated a MICE City by the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB).
Phuket’s global reputation as a leading travel destination, along with the rich cultural history of Phitsanulok and its close proximity to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Sukhothai Historical Park, positions both cities as ideal venues for the content-rich sessions planned for these two significant conferences, as highlighted by TCEB President.
In the central region, just a short distance from Bangkok, Phetchaburi was chosen to host the PATA Destination Marketing Forum (PDMF) 2024. The forum provided an excellent platform for Phetchaburi to showcase its potential as a MICE destination, drawing attention to its historical, natural, and cultural wealth, which provided engaging, content-rich experiences for international delegates.
“TCEB has a strategy to sharpen the competitiveness of the Thai MICE industry by developing local identities of city destinations across Thailand into unique selling points for planners, event owners and travelers. In this connection, we are highly satisfied with our support for bidding performances of our MICE Cities and potential destination in 2024. It is a real showcase of Thailand’s capabilities in hosting international events in much more diverse city destinations throughout the country. We would like to invite overseas clients to explore more locations in Thailand as we now have proven track records to ensure their capabilities”, concluded Mr. Chiruit.
Tags: Chiruit Isarangkun Na Ayuthaya,Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB), International Association of Horticultural Producers (AIPH), Thailand’s international events