Prince of Songkhla University to Host World HAPEX 2026

The Halal Institute at Prince of Songkhla University announced on July 15, 2025, that it is ready to host World HAPEX 2026, an international halal exhibition and academic conference scheduled for July 30 to August 2, 2026, at the university's 60th Anniversary International Convention Center. Under the theme "Halal Wellness and Innovation," the event aims to drive Thailand's halal industry forward through knowledge, research, innovation, and international partnerships.

Assistant Professor Dr. Niwat Kaewpradeep, the university's rector, presided over the announcement, joined by Assistant Professor Dr. Asman Tae-ali, director of the Halal Institute, and representatives from the southern border administration center, Songkhla provincial administration, and the provincial Islamic committee. Together, they pledged to promote Thailand's halal industry to the global market.

Dr. Niwat stated that Prince of Songkhla University is proud to be a driving force behind World HAPEX 2026, reflecting the university's role as a higher education institution advancing halal research, knowledge, and innovation while serving as a platform connecting researchers, academics, entrepreneurs, investors, and partners from Thailand and abroad to develop the Thai halal industry's competitiveness at the international level.

The rector further explained that World HAPEX 2026 is more than just a trade fair—it is a forum for knowledge exchange, translating research into innovation, building cooperative networks, and creating business and investment opportunities that will significantly contribute to sustainable economic development in the southern border provinces and Thailand as a whole.

Assistant Professor Dr. Asman Tae-ali noted that World HAPEX, now in its 15th year, aims to integrate academic knowledge, research, innovation, trade, and halal investment to promote Thai entrepreneurs' potential, connect them with international partners, and elevate Thai halal products and services to international recognition standards.

This year's event is expected to attract over 20,000 participants from 12 countries, including business owners, investors, academics, and halal experts, with more than 224 exhibition booths. During the four-day event, activities will include an international academic conference on "Halal Wellness and Innovation," the World HAPEX Leaders Roundtable 2026, memoranda of understanding (MOU) signing ceremonies, business matching sessions, the Halal Signature Drink Challenge 2026, Muslimah Day activities, and a halal public speaking competition to create business opportunities and expand international collaboration networks.

Representatives from the southern border administration center, Songkhla provincial administration, and the provincial Islamic committee also pledged their full support for the event to position Songkhla and the southern region as Thailand's halal economic hub and enhance Thai entrepreneurs' competitiveness in global markets.