Over 30,000 rock fans flooded Khao Kho to attend Rock Mountain 2026. Local businesses saw a surge in income as accommodations were fully booked, extending into neighboring districts. Ticket resale prices soared to over 10,000 baht.
On 25 Jan 2026, reporters noted that Phetchabun province came alive again, defying economic downturns early in 2026, following an open-air concert organized by GMM Show. The Rock Mountain 2026 music festival took place amid mountains and a chilling 14-degree Celsius atmosphere on the afternoon of 24 Jan 2026 at Jolly Land, Khaem Son Subdistrict, Khao Kho District. Traffic congestion was heavy along the Phitsanulok-Lom Sak road near Ban Huai Phai, Khaem Son Subdistrict, as fans streamed in for the annual concert. This year, attendance exceeded 30,000, benefiting local entrepreneurs in lodging, hotels, resorts, food, souvenirs, gas stations, and parking services. Accommodations were fully booked up to neighboring Lom Sak District, where tourists also crowded many venues. Estimated economic impact ranged from 300 to 400 million baht, generating widespread income and employment for 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" had to withdraw due to sudden illness and surgery, the dedication of rock fans remained strong. Many tourists who failed to buy tickets through official channels sought to purchase at the venue, driving demand sharply up against limited supply. This led to ticket resales exceeding 10,000 baht.
When asked, a female tourist who bought a resale ticket at a high price explained she had been preparing all year—planning her outfit, hair, and props—to showcase her style and travel a long distance to see her favorite artists. Combined with the comfortable cool weather, she said it was worth the wait. However, she plans to secure tickets in advance next year to avoid paying inflated resale prices.
Mr. Mongkol Uthaiuam, Mayor of Khaem Son Municipality, said the Rock Mountain concert is one of the country's major events that promotes local development and generates substantial income for the community. Locals provided motorcycle transport services, earning thousands of baht each. Khaem Son is a nationally renowned tourist area, home to Wat Pha Sorn Kaew, which attracts hundreds of thousands of Thai and international visitors annually. Regarding safety, organizers strictly enforced thorough searches, prohibiting weapons, sharp objects, flammable materials, all drugs including marijuana, and e-cigarettes. Smoking zones were clearly designated, and fights were banned. Measures escalated from warnings to wristband removal and ejection from the venue.
For cleanliness, a rapid response was initiated immediately after the event ended, with hundreds of staff mobilized to clean the venue and adjacent public roads within hours. Waste was separated at the source before being loaded onto trucks for disposal and recycling. This was regarded as a model of efficient and comprehensive event waste management.
