The Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau ((TCEB), has certified six new destinations across the country as official ‘MICE Cities’, a network that is now expanded to 16 destinations. It is a network that gives event organisers and international clients a wide choice of destinations, while enabling more cities across Thailand to leverage MICE as a driver of local economic development.
TCEB president Dr Supawan Teerarat said the latest 2026 MICE City assessment was conducted in mid-September through a rigorous evaluation by experts from both the public and private sectors. The assessment covered eight key criteria and 32 indicators, including accessibility and connectivity, event support, pre- and post-event activities, accommodation and facilities, venue standards, city image and reputation, safety, and risk management.
The assessment resulted in two key outcomes. Three existing MICE Cities – Surat Thani, Phitsanulok and Udon Thani – successfully renewed their MICE City certification, while six new destinations – Chiang Rai, Ubon Ratchathani, Rayong, Hua Hin–Cha-am, Krabi and Nakhon Si Thammarat – were newly certified as MICE Cities.
The new MICE Cities each offer distinctive strengths and experiences:
Chiang Rai in northern Thailand combines premium coffee and tea production, creative arts and mountainous landscapes. Located near the borders with Lao PDR and Myanmar, the province is Thailand’s northernmost destination and is served by daily flights to and from Bangkok.
Ubon Ratchathani, in Thailand’s northeastern Isan region, is known for its traditional Candle Festival, Mekong River landscapes and cultural heritage. Its location makes it a gateway to the Greater Mekong Subregion, with daily air connections to Bangkok.
Rayong, on Thailand’s eastern coast near Pattaya, is an important economic and industrial hub and part of the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC). The province is home to export-oriented industries, foreign investment and deep-sea ports, with motorway connectivity to Bangkok and access to U-Tapao International Airport.
Hua Hin–Cha-am offers a dual-destination coastal setting on the Gulf of Thailand, approximately 2.5 hours by road southwest from Bangkok. Long established as a retreat destination, the area combines international-standard hotels and venues with heritage, community and leisure experiences. Hua Hin Airport also provides potential for future international connectivity.
Krabi, on the Andaman coast in the South, combines natural landscapes with modern accommodation and event facilities.
Nakhon Si Thammarat, in the South facing the Gulf of Thailand, combines a rich historical heritage with coastal and mountainous landscapes. The province is home to important Buddhist and cultural heritage, alongside agricultural and fisheries industries.
Chiang Rai, Rayong and Nakhon Si Thammarat all also made their mark in the ICCA 2025 Statistical Report.
Dr Supawan emphasised that becoming a MICE City is not simply about receiving official recognition. Rather, certification provides a platform for each destination to use its MICE potential to generate wider economic value, based on its unique strengths or ‘Destination DNA’, while strengthening its competitiveness as an international business events destination.
TCEB will work with the newly certified destinations in three key areas:
- Infrastructure & Connectivity – TCEB will build on the “EEC MICE Sandbox” model and develop an Area-based MICE Development Playbook to provide a practical framework that can be adapted and scaled across MICE Cities nationwide. The focus will be on strengthening connectivity, infrastructure and the readiness of local destinations to host business events.
- City-as-Content & Destination DNA – TCEB will work with each destination to develop MICE programmes around its distinctive identity, assets and local experiences, turning the character of each city into meaningful event content. Sustainable event management will also be promoted through the Thailand Sustainable Event Management Standard (TSEMS).
- Local MICE Ecosystem – TCEB will strengthen networks of local MICE entrepreneurs and connect them with relevant government support, helping encourage more meetings and seminars to take place in MICE Cities.
The next MICE City renewal assessment in 2027 will cover Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket and Khon Kaen, continuing TCEB’s efforts to maintain destination standards while strengthening Thailand’s nationwide MICE ecosystem.
