Phetchaburi Hosts 21st Kaeng Krachan Fish Festival Dec 4-13
Phetchaburi Province launches the 21st Kaeng Krachan Fish Festival from December 4-13, 2026, at the Kaeng Krachan District Office. The 10-day event promotes local cuisine, culture, and tourism under the theme "Full Stomach, Feast for the Eyes, Content Heart," featuring cooking contests, entertainment, and decorated photo spots. Officials aim to boost the local economy and showcase the district's UNESCO-listed national park and natural attractions.
Phetchaburi Province is ready to welcome tourists to cap off the year with its major annual event, the "21st Kaeng Krachan Fish Festival 2026," held under the concept "Full Stomach, Feast for the Eyes, Content Heart." The festival features a parade of local delicacies, delectable fish menus, community products, and diverse entertainment. The venue has been beautifully landscaped to serve as a new check-in landmark, aiming to draw visitors, stimulate the economy, and create revenue for area residents from December 4-13, 2026, at the Kaeng Krachan District Office grounds.
On November 12, 2026, at the Kaeng Krachan District Office fountain plaza, Phetchaburi Deputy Governor Chaiphol Phuthonglam presided over the press conference for the festival, joined by Kaeng Krachan District Chief Nicha Khongnil along with government agency heads, officials, state enterprises, private sector partners, and stakeholders.
Deputy Governor Chaiphol stated that Phetchaburi possesses outstanding tourism potential across nature, history, culture, and food. Notably, Kaeng Krachan District is a key destination featuring national-level attractions like Kaeng Krachan National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Kaeng Krachan Dam, and the sea of mist atop Phanoen Thung Mountain. The area also boasts rich natural resources, diverse bird and butterfly species, and a unique local lifestyle and cuisine. The festival serves as a vital link connecting tourism with community food and culture, creating sales channels for local entrepreneurs, shops, farmers, and residents while distributing income to communities and promoting Phetchaburi as a diverse, year-round tourist destination.
District Chief Nicha Khongnil added that this year's festival aims to be more distinctive and engaging under the "Full Stomach, Feast for the Eyes, Content Heart" concept, ensuring visitors experience happiness in every dimension — savoring delicious food, admiring scenic beauty, and touching the charm of the Kaeng Krachan way of life. The venue has been enhanced with wooden decor, photo tunnels, pavilions, check-in points, and decorative lighting to create a beautiful, unique atmosphere suitable for families and tourists seeking memorable visits.
Highlights across the 10 days include the Miss Kaeng Krachan 2026 pageant, fish-eating contests, creative fish dish cooking competitions with inventive menu naming, Kaeng Krachan-style papaya salad contests, and freshwater boxing matches for entertainment.
Additionally, there are folk singing contests featuring local leaders, government officials, and the Kaeng Krachan Tourism Business Club, plus cultural performances and stage entertainment throughout the event.
Another major highlight is the diverse activity and sales zones, including the "Kaeng Krachan Good Food Plaza" gathering local cuisine...
