Thailand is experiencing a significant surge in its Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) sector, thanks to the impressive achievements of the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB). 2024 has proven to be a banner year, with a remarkable influx of international events distributed across the nation’s four key regions, highlighting the diverse offerings and capabilities of Thailand’s various cities and destinations.
One of the most significant wins is the securing of the prestigious
International Horticultural Exposition 2029
. In March 2024, Nakhon Ratchasima (Korat), located in the northeastern region of Thailand, was selected as the host city by the International Association of Horticultural Producers (AIPH). This victory, the result of a highly competitive bidding process spearheaded by TCEB in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives and the local government, represents a major milestone for the region. As TCEB President Mr. Chiruit Isarangkun Na Ayuthaya emphasizes, this event will showcase the Northeast’s capacity to host world-class events, significantly bolstering its position within the MICE industry. The northeastern bureau of TCEB is actively partnering with the region to further develop its MICE infrastructure and capabilities.The southern region also experienced considerable success. Phuket, already a prominent MICE city, secured the
Global Sustainable Tourism Conference (GSTC) in 2026
. This accolade adds to Phuket’s already impressive achievements this year, including 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). This solidifies Phuket’s reputation as a leading global MICE destination.Moving north, Phitsanulok province celebrated a momentous achievement by winning the bid to host the
World Cultural Heritage City and Night Festival Conference 2025
, organized by IFEA-Asia. This marks Phitsanulok’s inaugural international conference since being designated a MICE City by TCEB. Its rich cultural heritage and proximity to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Sukhothai Historical Park make it an ideal location for this significant event.Finally, in the central region, the city of Phetchaburi, conveniently located near Bangkok, successfully hosted the
PATA Destination Marketing Forum (PDMF) 2024
. This event provided an excellent platform to showcase Phetchaburi’s unique blend of historical, natural, and cultural attractions to international delegates.Mr. Chiruit further explained TCEB’s strategic approach: “Our strategy centers on enhancing the competitiveness of the Thai MICE industry by leveraging the unique identities of our city destinations. We are incredibly pleased with the success of our MICE Cities and potential destinations in 2024. This demonstrates Thailand’s capacity to host international events in a far more diverse range of locations. We invite global clients to explore the numerous possibilities that Thailand offers, confident in our ability to deliver exceptional experiences.” The success of these diverse events across Thailand underscores the nation’s growing strength as a leading global player in the MICE industry, promising exciting developments in the years to come.
