Thailand's network of certified MICE Cities has grown from 10 to 16. The Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) has added Chiang Rai, Ubon Ratchathani, Rayong, Hua Hin–Cha-am, Krabi and Nakhon Si Thammarat, and renewed the certification of Surat Thani, Phitsanulok and Udon Thani. For planners, that widens the list of destinations outside Bangkok that the bureau stands behind. This briefing, from a Thailand DMC for travel agents and MICE planners, sets out the list, what the label means and how to use it in a proposal.
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The 16 MICE Cities
- Already certified: Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Pattaya, Phuket, Khon Kaen, Nakhon Ratchasima, Udon Thani, Songkhla, Surat Thani and Phitsanulok.
- New in 2026: Chiang Rai, Ubon Ratchathani, Rayong, Hua Hin–Cha-am, Krabi and Nakhon Si Thammarat.
The list comes from TCEB's announcement in late September, as reported by the trade titles TTG Asia and Meeting Media Group. Cities were assessed against eight criteria and 32 indicators, including access and connectivity, event support, pre- and post-event activities, accommodation, venue standards, city image and safety. TCEB says Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket and Khon Kaen are due to be assessed again in 2027.
What the label means, and what it does not
The designation is TCEB's judgement that a city has the access, venues, hotels and support to host business events. TCEB's president, Dr Supawan Teerarat, said the six additions expand the choices available to event organisers. It is a useful signal when a client asks whether a secondary city can handle a group, and it brings the bureau's local network into play. It is not a guarantee that a particular venue fits your numbers. Room capacity, flights for your dates and the hotel stock near the venue still need checking file by file.
Where the new names fit
- Chiang Rai: a northern incentive base with a strong cultural programme, often paired with Chiang Mai.
- Krabi: Andaman beaches and limestone scenery for incentive groups that want the coast without Phuket's volume.
- Hua Hin–Cha-am: the closest of the new names to Bangkok by road, suited to meetings in a resort setting.
- Rayong: on the Eastern Economic Corridor, which TCEB positions for trade-focused events tied to the region's industry.
- Ubon Ratchathani and Nakhon Si Thammarat: regional centres in the northeast and the south, most relevant to associations and to groups that want a programme away from the main circuits.
How to use it in a proposal
Use the designation as a reason to look beyond the usual hubs, then test the specifics. Ask your Thailand DMC to check the venue, the hotel blocks and the flight times for your dates before a city goes into a proposal. A Thailand DMC with local suppliers can also build the pre- and post-event programme, which is one of the criteria the cities were judged on. Our Thailand DMC MICE team handles site inspections and ground logistics, and our MICE site inspection checklist sets out what to check. For a first-hand look at a certified secondary city, see our report from Korat MICE City Business & Corporate Connect 2026. Our guides to Chiang Rai, Krabi and Hua Hin cover three of the new names, the full range is on our Thailand DMC services page, and the trade desk is on our contact page.
Frequently asked questions
Which cities did TCEB add in 2026?
Chiang Rai, Ubon Ratchathani, Rayong, Hua Hin–Cha-am, Krabi and Nakhon Si Thammarat, taking the network from 10 to 16 MICE Cities.
Which are Thailand's 16 MICE Cities?
Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Pattaya, Phuket, Khon Kaen, Nakhon Ratchasima, Udon Thani, Songkhla, Surat Thani and Phitsanulok, plus the six new names: Chiang Rai, Ubon Ratchathani, Rayong, Hua Hin–Cha-am, Krabi and Nakhon Si Thammarat.
Does a MICE City label guarantee a venue for my group?
No. It is TCEB's assessment of a city's overall readiness. Venue capacity, hotel rooms and flights for your dates still need to be checked for each file.
When are the cities assessed again?
TCEB says Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket and Khon Kaen are due to be reassessed in 2027.
