Anutin Launches 39th Phra Nakhon Khiri Festival in Phetchaburi

PHETCHABURI — Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and his wife Thananon Niramit officially opened the 39th "Phra Nakhon Khiri – Mueang Phet" festival on 21 February 2026 at Phra Nakhon Khiri Historical Park. The annual event, running from 20 February to 1 March, aims to promote tourism and celebrate the province's cultural heritage under the theme "Heavenly Palace of Phra Nakhon Khiri, Gem of Siam." The prime minister and his wife wore traditional Thai attire, encouraging visitors to do the same to enhance the cultural tourism atmosphere. The festival features a wide range of activities including royal project exhibitions, nightly fireworks displays, district parades, cultural performances, traditional craft demonstrations, local cuisine showcases, light-and-sound presentations, and Khon performances by over 120 artists. Additionally, the event includes a motor show, OTOP product booths, and food fairs, highlighting Phetchaburi's status as a UNESCO City of Gastronomy. Organizers hope to boost tourism revenue and promote the province's soft power in food, arts, and history. Phra Nakhon Khiri, also known as Khao Wang, is a historic hilltop complex overlooking the city. Built as a summer palace by King Mongkut and completed in 1860, the site spans three building groups across the three peaks of a 95-metre hill.