TCEB launches "Bangkok International Design Expo" to promote exhibitions and drive Thailand's high-value creative economy.

The Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) is driving its strategy to elevate Thailand's MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) industry under the concept of creating a "New Sector." This focuses on using international exhibitions and trade shows as a key mechanism to propel Bangkok towards becoming a global design exhibition hub, aligning with the country's creative economy policy and creating a new, high-value economic engine in the long term.

Simultaneously, TCEB launched an international pilot project, "THE WORLD ENDS: Bangkok International Design Expo," scheduled for 2026. The event's theme, "The end is the beginning of new opportunities," reflects the role of design as a crucial tool for envisioning the future and creating new choices for the world.

This marks a significant step in elevating the role of Thailand's exhibition and trade show industry, transforming it into a world-class platform for connecting designers, entrepreneurs, investors, and brands from around the globe. It provides Thai designers with the opportunity to showcase their potential on an international stage and serves as a starting point for attracting world-class design events to be held in Thailand on a continuous basis.

This project was announced on December 16, 2025, under the theme "TCEB’s Vision: Positioning Bangkok as a Global Hub for International Design Exhibitions" The event included presentations by Dr. Supawan Teerarat, Director of the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB), along with internationally award-winning visual designer Mr. Pongpasakorn Kulthiratham (KorBorVor) and Ms. Chanpen Koolkaew, Secretary of the Thai Virtual Digital Media Entrepreneurs Association. They shared their vision and insights to help drive the strategy for upgrading the MICE industry into reality.

5 Reasons Why Thailand Should Promote its Creative Economy

1. The creative economy in Thailand accounts for as much as 8% of the country's GDP.

   
   

   Dr. Supawan Teerarat provided information on Thailand's creative economy, which is valued at over US$44.5 billion, or approximately 1.6 trillion baht, representing 8% of Thailand's GDP. This figure encompasses design and related industries, reflecting the potential of the design sector as an industry that creates added value and enhances the country's qualitative competitiveness.

   
   

2. Thailand is the leading hub for exhibitions and trade shows in the ASEAN region.

   
   

   Furthermore, Thailand is considered the leading hub for exhibitions and trade shows in the ASEAN region, in terms of infrastructure, venues, the number of international events held there, the number of international participants, as well as the variety of accommodations and exhibition support services.

   
   

3. Being a member of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN).
   

   Bangkok has consistently been ranked as a world-class destination since 2019, thanks to its unique culture, creativity, youthful energy, and social dynamism. Its inclusion in the UNESCO Creative Cities Network further reinforces its city branding and potential to attract designers, event organizers, and participants from around the globe.

   
   

4. The number of attendees at exhibitions and trade shows in Thailand increased by 5.64% compared to the previous year.
   

   From 2025 onwards, the exhibition and trade show industry held in Thailand is projected to attract over 23.6 million participants from both domestic and international markets, a 5.64% increase from 2024, generating revenue of 98,540 million baht. This reflects Thailand's readiness to host international events with the necessary infrastructure to support participants from around the world. Data from the event indicates that participants attending exhibitions in Thailand spend up to 300,000 baht per person per trip, or an average of 15,000 - 150,000 baht per person per trip. This figure reflects the significant spending value of participants upon entering the country.

   
   

5. Creating new platforms for Thai designers to reach the global stage.
   

   TCEB recognizes that Thailand has a wealth of talented designers, artists, and academics who drive design forward. If these individuals are provided with platforms to showcase their work and leverage their creativity in exhibitions and trade shows, it will further enhance the creative economy. KorBorVor cited the example of UNFEST, an event organized in collaboration with the Thai Virtual Digital Media Entrepreneurs Association, which has created opportunities for collaboration with many renowned national brands. UNFEST has now become a strong and capable platform for building a visual design community, enabling Thai designers to showcase their work and generate economic value for the country.

Therefore, continuously promoting the creative economy is key to transforming the cultural and intellectual capital of the Thai people into true economic prosperity and a strong national image on the world stage.

Thank you for the information from the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (Public Organization).

#TCEB #MICEThailand #CreativeEconomy #BangkokDesignHub #TheWorldEnds2026 #NewSector #BangkokDesignExpo #ThaiDesigner #VisualDesign #SoftPowerThailand