Over 30,000 rock fans flooded Khao Kho to watch Rock Mountain 2026. Local businesses thrived, accommodations were fully booked even in neighboring districts, and ticket resales soared to prices around 10,000 baht.
On 25 January 2026, reporters noted that Phetchabun province came alive once again, bucking the economic downturn at the start of 2026. This followed the outdoor concert festival Rock Mountain 2026 organized by GMM Show, held amidst mountains and chilling 14-degree Celsius weather on the afternoon of 24 January 2026 at Jolly Land, Camp Son Subdistrict, Khao Kho District. Traffic congestion was reported on the Phitsanulok-Lom Sak road near Ban Huai Phai in Camp Son as music fans poured in to enjoy the annual concert. This year, attendance exceeded 30,000 people, benefiting local operators of accommodations, hotels, resorts, restaurants, souvenir shops, gas stations, and parking services, all enjoying widespread income. Lodgings were fully booked even in the neighboring Lom Sak District, where tourists flocked to fill many places. It is estimated that economic activity generated between 300 and 400 million baht, creating jobs and income evenly throughout the local community.
This year, Rock Mountain 2026 featured a full lineup of top national rock and pop-rock artists, including BIG ASS, RETROSPECT, POTATO, KLEAR, TAITOSMITH, THREE MAN DOWN, JOEY PHUWASIT, LITTLE JOHN, SILLY FOOLS, and SWEET MULLET. Although "Toon Bodyslam" suddenly fell ill and had to undergo surgery, preventing his participation, this did not dampen the passion of dedicated rock fans for the festival. Many tourists who could not purchase tickets through official channels hoped to buy at the venue, but with high demand and limited tickets, resale prices surged above 10,000 baht.
When asked, a female tourist who bought a resale ticket at a high price explained that she had been preparing all year, including outfits, hairstyles, and props, to showcase her style today. She traveled a long way to see her favorite artists, and combined with the cool weather, felt the wait was worthwhile. She added that next year she would try to buy tickets earlier to avoid paying inflated resale prices.
Mr. Mongkol Uthaiuam, Mayor of Camp Son Municipality, said Rock Mountain is one of the country’s major concerts, helping to develop the local area by generating income and money flow into the community. Locals offered motorcycle taxi services earning thousands of baht each. Camp Son Subdistrict is a nationally renowned tourist spot, featuring Wat Pha Sorn Kaew, which attracts hundreds of thousands of Thai and foreign visitors annually. Regarding safety, organizers strictly enforced checks, banning weapons, sharp objects, fireworks, all narcotics, marijuana, electronic cigarettes, and clearly designated smoking areas. Fighting was prohibited, with penalties ranging from warnings to wristband removal and ejection.
Regarding cleanliness, a rapid cleanup operation began immediately after the event ended. Hundreds of staff worked together to collect garbage in the venue and along public roads, completing the task within a few hours. Waste was sorted from the start before being loaded for disposal and recycling. This approach served as a model for a swift and comprehensive waste management system.
