Chiang Rai, which lies in the north of Thailand, was included in the 2025 International Congress and Convention Association report.
The Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau has designated six additional locations as MICE Cities, expanding its network for meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions to 16 destinations.
The new destinations are Chiang Rai, Ubon Ratchathani, Rayong, Hua Hin–Cha-am, Krabi and Nakhon Si Thammarat, extending the programme across northern, northeastern, eastern and southern Thailand.
TCEB said the certifications followed a mid-September assessment by public- and private-sector experts. The review covered eight criteria and 32 indicators, including transport access, event support, accommodation, venue standards, destination reputation, safety and risk management.
Surat Thani, Phitsanulok and Udon Thani also renewed their MICE City certifications in the same assessment round.
The additions expand the programme’s geographic reach. Highlighting the strengths of each destination, TCEB shared that Chiang Rai has daily air links with Bangkok and borders Laos and Myanmar; Ubon Ratchathani is an air-linked northeastern province near the Mekong River; Rayong is in the Eastern Economic Corridor and is served by U-Tapao International Airport; Hua Hin-Cha-am lies on the Gulf coast southwest of Bangkok; Krabi is an Andaman coast tourism centre; and Nakhon Si Thammarat is a transport hub on the southern Gulf coast.
Chiang Rai, Rayong and Nakhon Si Thammarat were included in the International Congress and Convention Association’s 2025 statistical report, while Hua Hin appeared in the 2024 edition, according to TCEB.
TCEB said it would work with the six destinations on transport and infrastructure, locally based event programmes, sustainable event management and MICE operator networks. Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket and Khon Kaen are due for renewal assessments in 2027.