TCEB unveils six new MICE Cities

01.10.2026

The Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) has certified six new destinations as MICE Cities, expanding Thailand’s nationwide MICE City network to 16 destinations under the “2026 MICE City: 16 Destinations” initiative.

The expanded network gives event organisers and international clients a wider choice of destinations, while enabling more cities across Thailand to leverage MICE as a driver of local economic development.

Supawan Teerarat, president of the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau, said the 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 six new MICE Cities bring greater diversity to Thailand’s MICE destination portfolio, each offering distinctive strengths and experiences.

The growing international recognition of these destinations is reflected in their presence in the ICCA Statistical Report. Among the newly certified destinations, Chiang Rai, Rayong and Nakhon Si Thammarat were recorded in the ICCA 2025 Statistical Report, while Hua Hin appeared in the 2024 edition.

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. “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. 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,” said Supawan.

Going forward, TCEB will work with the newly certified destinations in three key areas:

1. 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.

2. 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).

3. 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.