Southeast Asia Information Port (www.dnyxxg.com) reports that this year's festival, themed "5 Must-Do Experiences in Thailand," showcases tourism products and services while introducing the concept of carbon-neutral tourism, in response to the goal of "2025: Thailand's Big Year of Tourism and Sports."
Ms. Thapani Kiaphaepur, Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, pointed out that this festival is one of the grandest events of the year, aiming to ignite tourism enthusiasm, create memorable moments, deliver instant joy, and promote domestic tourism throughout the year. The Tourism Authority of Thailand anticipates that the five-day festival will attract approximately 130,000 participants and an estimated audience of 45 million.
To align with Thailand's sustainable tourism strategy, the Governor added, “This is the third year the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has hosted the festival, and we will continue to uphold its core mission of promoting sustainable tourism. This year's festival includes a ‘Zero Landfill’ program, with 14 designated waste sorting points set up within the venue to minimize landfill waste. All waste will be properly sorted and processed, and our goal is to keep unsorted waste below 10%, reflecting the TAT's commitment to making tourism a true force for sustainable development.”
To further support the low-impact approach to the event, public transportation is recommended, including the MRT (Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre Station), taxis at the G-level lakeside entrance, and bus route 136. Visitors are also encouraged to download the Amazing Thailand mobile application, which features a 3D site map and AR navigation for easy exploration. The app also provides a full schedule of major stage events and personalized event reminders.
The festival activities encompass nine main event zones, including five rural zones and four themed highlight zones, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in Thailand's culture and tourism landscape. Visitors can enjoy iconic landmarks, photo spots, local food and products, creative tourism displays, cultural and contemporary performances, and hands-on workshops and DIY activities.
Zone 1: Magical Thailand
To celebrate its 65th anniversary, TAT is hosting an immersive exhibition featuring TeamLab-style installations and dynamic 3D video walls. Highlights include experiencing retro photography at Chayanitikorn Studio, enjoying coffee at the Amazing Coffee corner, attending the Osotho Magazine photography exhibition, and engaging in sustainable shopping at the eco-friendly flea market stalls.
Visitors can attend workshops on sustainability, network with tourism creatives, and obtain travel information at the 1672 Travel Buddy counter. Souvenirs can be redeemed through the Art Toy Journey Collection, earning one stamp for every 100 baht spent; 100 event passports are available daily. Live entertainment includes performances by DICE, the cast of GELBOYS: Unspoken Feelings, and a fan meet-and-greet featuring RESET.
Area 2: Eastern Villages
This area showcases the diversity of the eastern region, including the butterfly kingdoms of Pang Sida and Ta Phraya National Parks in Sa Kaeo province, the iconic 2-meter-tall "Nong Moo Deng" (a lively pygmy hippopotamus), and the seagull viewing point in Bang Pu.
Over 50 food stalls offer specialty dishes such as durian from Rayong and Chanthaburi provinces, crispy noodles with mariam plums, bamboo-tube glutinous rice balls, mantis shrimp noodles, and pork curry with tea. Visitors can enjoy DIY crafts, live music, cartoon mascots, cabaret performances, Tiffany's shows, and puppet shows.
Area 3: Central Village
This area recreates Hua Lamphong Railway Station, the SRT Royal Parade float, and the Palace of Love and Hope, offering retro photo opportunities. The "Million Market" pedestrian street serves popular dishes such as Boonlert's grilled pork noodles, Mae Lek's khao chae, and Mae Thiam's golden rolls.
The nostalgic street food area offers giant rice cakes, sweet potato balls, and rocket soda. Performances include Sornram Nampech, Keng Tachaya, Koh Mr. Saxman, Suntaraporn dance hall, and 1970s-style music.
Section Four: Northern Village
This area boasts a modern Lanna atmosphere, featuring a giant LED screen, a 3D animation of the "Nong Ava" tiger cup from the Chiang Mai Night Safari, the Dak Blue Grotto, and the Chiang Mai Songkran Festival. Food highlights include Nam Ngiao curry noodles, Khao Hor Sao Laplae, and Khao Perb.
The "Happiness Department" offers drinks themed around "365 Days of Northern Coffee." Relaxation options include treatments at Sappaya Spa (Mae Hong Son) and Sira Spa (Chiang Mai). Performers include John Nattachot, Better Weather, and students from the Northern Academy of Dramatic Arts.
Section 5: Nam Village
This area celebrates Southern culture with iconic landmarks such as the Pink Dolphin mascot, Surin Circle, and Yalin Palace, along with vibrant arches inspired by batik, pat, and Nora styles of art. At “Lard Roy Pae,” you can savor Southern cuisine including Betong chicken rice, Trang roasted pork, GI-certified oysters, Esan teh tarik (pulled tea), roti canai (Indian flatbread), and Bara Roti.
The “Lard Craft…Long Lae Ta” section offers DIY activities using local materials, while the “Lard Klai Sen” section offers traditional Southern massages. Evening performances include the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Nora dance, teh tarik, and the lively Ram Wong Wian Krok, held daily from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM.
Zone 6: Northeast Village
This zone, themed "Isan Tradition: The Path of Faith," showcases the 20 provinces of Isan province, featuring a seven-meter-tall incense tree inspired by the Boon Duen Sib festival in Chaiyaphum, rice wreaths in Yasothong, and Phi Ta Khon masks in Loei.
At "Mong Zaep Nua," over 40 vendors offer local delicacies such as Jaew Hon hotpot, fermented sausages, Mee Kratok, and snacks like fried sour pork and black curry noodles. The "Mong Hed Sud Fai Mue" area features art therapy workshops, while "Isan Muan Suen" showcases luk thung music and cultural performances.
Zone 7: TAT Partners and Travel Mall
This zone features key partners of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, including the Tourism Authority of Thailand, the National Revenue Department of Thailand, the Ministry of Culture, the Thai Chamber of Commerce, Thailand Post, the Tourist Police, Telekom Thailand, NARIT, and the State Railway of Thailand.
Visitors can also find travel deals and packages from eight travel agencies at the Thailand Travel Mall, including the Tourism Authority of Thailand and the Thai Ecotourism and Adventure Tourism Association.
Section 8: Main Stage
The main stage features music and cultural performances by top Thai artists such as Sornram Nampetch, Kantong Thungngoen, MEAN, ASIA 7, Earth Patravee, Renissara, Wangkangeng, Tai Orathai, Ryal Kajbandit, Aom-Aem Phetbanpaeng, Monica, Belle Warisara, Dokaor Thungthong, Ponchet, Peck Palitchoke, Suntaraporn, Goldred, Tao Pusilp, and Lake Rachhams. Meet-and-greets with fans of Gulf Kanawut and Baifern Pimchanok will be even more exciting.
The stage will also host cultural and contemporary performances, the Miss Thailand Tourism Festival beauty pageant, fashion shows and lucky draws, as well as appearances by celebrity duos such as Freen-Becky, Kimmon-Copter, and Billy-Babe. DJs Matoom and Bookko will keep the energy high throughout the event.
Section 9: Sustainable Tourism Goals
This section highlights Thailand's commitment to sustainable development and net-zero carbon tourism. Most notably, artist Wishulada's Bryde's whale sculpture, created from over 90 kilograms of plastic waste, is a powerful statement of environmental responsibility.
This section features a green playground with a low-carbon destination map and TAT ECO PARK, designed to promote sustainable tourism. The event concludes with a performance by Serious Bacon and a sustainability talk by Kong GREEN GREEN.
