Udon Thani World Horticultural Expo Opens with 9,000 Visitors
Agriculture Minister Worawat Khawkham visited the opening of the World Horticultural Expo in Udon Thani, which drew nearly 9,000 visitors on its first day. The minister identified urgent infrastructure issues including insufficient shuttles, water stations, and slow ticketing, ordering fixes within a week. Authorities expect daily attendance to reach 20,000 during the high season and are coordinating with hotels to prevent price gouging.
Agriculture Minister Worawat Khawkham expressed satisfaction with the first day of the World Horticultural Expo in Udon Thani, which attracted nearly 10,000 visitors. Authorities expect daily attendance to surpass 20,000 during the high season. The minister identified urgent issues including insufficient shuttle services, drinking water points, food outlets, and slow ticket sales, and has ordered fixes within the first week. He coordinated with provincial police for traffic management and with the Department of Agriculture to address the problems, while also adding more shaded rest areas for visitors.
On November 2 at the Creative Textile Design Center of Udon Thani Rajabhat University, Minister Worawat Khawkham gave an interview regarding management issues at the Udon Thani World Horticultural Expo 2026 at Nong Da Wetland. Following a site inspection covering various points including shops and souvenir stores, urgent problems were identified: insufficient tram and golf cart shuttle service points, too few drinking water and food service points, and slow ticket sales.
The minister coordinated with relevant agencies, including the Mueang Udon Thani Provincial Police Superintendent to systematically manage traffic, and with the province and the Department of Agriculture as the event host to urgently manage the situation. It is expected that within the first week of the expo, improvements will be made sequentially to accommodate tourists. He also ordered organizers and hosts to add more shaded rest areas for public convenience.
The minister stated that opening day attendance exceeded expectations at 8,999 visitors, comprising 1,690 general public, 1,039 Udon Thani locals, 1,690 from the Sabai Dee network (Ubon Ratchathani, Nong Khai, Nong Bua Lamphu, Loei, Bueng Kan), 1,702 seniors, 797 children, 27 people with disabilities, 24 monks, and approximately 2,030 from various agencies and organizations. As the high season approaches with cooler weather, daily visitor numbers are projected to reach 20,000, according to estimates by the Udon Thani Chamber of Commerce and Board of Trade. The ministry has also coordinated with hotel and tourism associations to monitor and control accommodation prices, preventing price gouging during the event period.
