Thailand Launches First UNESCO Creative Cities Forum

BANGKOK — Thailand has hosted its first forum under the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN), bringing together representatives from 13 creative cities in Thailand and overseas to promote sustainable urban development through culture, creativity and tourism.

The Thailand Creative Cities Network (TCCN) Forum 2026 was launched at Bangkok Railway Station (Hua Lamphong) by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) and the Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration (DASTA), together with five partner organisations.

Held under the theme "Creative Cities Connect: Connecting People • Culture • Creativity • Sustainability," the forum aims to strengthen cooperation among creative cities, showcase best practices and encourage knowledge-sharing on sustainable urban development.

Siripakorn Cheawsamoot, Director-General of DASTA, said the event brought together creative city representatives from Thailand and abroad to exchange ideas on how cultural assets and creativity can strengthen local economies, improve quality of life and support sustainable tourism.

The forum welcomed representatives from 13 UNESCO Creative Cities, including nine cities from Thailand:

City of Gastronomy: Phuket, Phetchaburi and Songkhla City of Crafts and Folk Art: Chiang Mai, Sukhothai and Nan City of Design: Bangkok and Chiang Rai City of Music: Suphan Buri

Among them, DASTA has supported the development of six UNESCO Creative Cities: Sukhothai, Nan, Songkhla, Chiang Rai, Suphan Buri and Phetchaburi.

International participants included:

Berlin, Germany (City of Design) Cebu, Philippines (City of Design) Jakarta, Indonesia (City of Literature) Echizen, Japan (City of Crafts and Folk Art)

The event also featured exhibitions highlighting each city's cultural identity, performances and creative economy activities, as well as networking sessions aimed at expanding regional and international cooperation.

DASTAS also organised two technical tours for delegates. The Bangkok tour included visits to Talat Noi Museum, River City Bangkok and the Thailand Creative & Design Center (TCDC), while the Pattaya tour showcased the city's preparations to seek UNESCO recognition as a City of Film.

Established in 2004, the UNESCO Creative Cities Network promotes cities that place creativity and culture at the heart of sustainable urban development. The network currently includes more than 408 cities worldwide.

Thailand currently has nine UNESCO Creative Cities, with Nan and Songkhla becoming the newest members in 2025.

Looking ahead, DASTA said it will continue working with local authorities and partners to expand Thailand's creative city network, with Pattaya targeting UNESCO's City of Film designation in 2027.