THAILAND Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) has expanded its officially recognised MICE City network with the addition of six new destinations, giving planners a broader range of options beyond the country’s established business events hubs.
The newly certified cities, announced under the “2026 MICE City: 16 Destinations” initiative, are Chiang Rai, Ubon Ratchathani, Rayong, Hua Hin-Cha-am, Krabi and Nakhon Si Thammarat. Their inclusion takes Thailand’s nationwide network of recognised MICE destinations to 16 cities. Three existing MICE Cities, Surat Thani, Phitsanulok and Udon Thani, also successfully renewed their certification.
For organisers seeking fresh destinations in Asia, the expansion reflects Thailand’s ongoing push to spread business events beyond traditional gateway cities and create stronger regional event economies. TCEB said the enlarged network will provide event organisers and international clients with a wider selection of destinations while helping local communities use business events activity as a driver of economic development.
Supawan Teerarat, President of TCEB, said the latest assessment was carried out in mid-September and involved a detailed evaluation process conducted by experts from the public and private sectors. Cities were assessed against eight criteria and 32 indicators covering areas such as accessibility, event support, accommodation, venue standards, city reputation, safety and risk management.
The six new entrants each bring a distinct proposition for business events:
In northern Thailand, Chiang Rai combines coffee and tea production, creative industries, multicultural heritage and mountain scenery, while benefiting from daily air links with Bangkok.
In the northeast, Ubon Ratchathani offers cultural experiences centred on its famous Candle Festival and Mekong River landscapes, while serving as a gateway to the Greater Mekong Subregion.
For organisers focused on industrial sectors, Rayong stands out as a key part of the Eastern Economic Corridor, with strong transport connections, deep-sea ports and access to the expanding U-Tapao International Airport.
Meanwhile, Hua Hin-Cha-am brings a coastal meetings proposition within easy reach of Bangkok, combining established hospitality infrastructure with leisure and community-based experiences.
On Thailand’s southern coast, Krabi offers scenery alongside accommodation and event facilities, while Nakhon Si Thammarat combines cultural heritage, natural landscapes and a strategic role as a southern transport hub.
The cities would be encouraged to use their unique strengths, or “Destination DNA”, to build distinctive business events offerings and create wider economic value.
“With six new MICE Cities, Thailand is expanding the choices available to event organisers while creating more opportunities for destinations across the country to participate in the MICE economy,” said Teerarat.
Each city has its own Destination DNA, and our role is to help transform these distinctive strengths into meaningful MICE experiences and lasting economic impact.”
– Supawan Teerarat, TCEB President
Looking ahead, TCEB plans to support the newly certified destinations through initiatives focused on infrastructure and connectivity, the development of city-specific event content, and the strengthening of local MICE business networks. The bureau will also promote sustainable event management through the Thailand Sustainable Event Management Standard (TSEMS).
For planners, the expansion signals a growing portfolio of secondary Thai destinations capable of hosting business events, while offering experiences that differ markedly from the country’s traditional event centres.
Main picture… The beaches of Hua Hin offer fun locations for teambuilding while the city has a range of quality hotel options
