Deputy PM Opens Udon Thani World Horticultural Expo 2026

Deputy Prime Minister Yoschanan Wongsuwat, accompanied by several cabinet ministers and the Secretary-General of the International Association of Horticultural Producers (AIPH), took a special State Railway of Thailand train to the expo site to inaugurate the Udon Thani World Horticultural Expo 2026. The event builds on Thailand's success hosting two previous expos in Chiang Mai and focuses on biodiversity to advance high-value agriculture, a key pillar of Udon Thani's Sustainable Development Goals through the 'Plant Three Important Things' policy: planting life to restore ecosystems and create a major tourism destination; planting economy to boost income for farmers and local communities; and planting the future by applying world-class agricultural technology, innovation, and science in a Living Lab format. The expo features six zones including international gardens, rare plant collections, greenhouses, desert plant houses, agricultural technology exhibits, lotus gardens, and provincial flora gardens, plus academic exhibitions on biodiversity conservation and sustainable agriculture. Architecture reflects Udon Thani identity and Isan wisdom, such as a jar-shaped PR building inspired by Ban Chiang pottery, a sickle-shaped administration building modeled on local fishing tools, and an Isan village showcasing lifestyle and culture with cultural performances and a riverside community market. The expo opens daily from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM until March 14, 2027. General admission is 199 baht for both Thais and foreigners, available via All Ticket at 7-Eleven stores, the All Ticket website, on-site booths, or www.udonthaniexpo2026.com. A mobile cabinet meeting is also scheduled for November 3 in Udon Thani to drive inter-ministerial cooperation on regional development.