The 15th "Eastern Colors Festival EEC" has launched as a hub for the finest and most delicious local specialties from three Eastern provinces, presenting local food ingredients on a modern fashion runway. It offers tourists a chance to taste these delights while promoting business growth and income generation.
The "Eastern Colors Festival EEC" returns for its 15th edition, organized by the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) comprising Chonburi, Rayong, and Chachoengsao provinces. The event is hosted by the Chonburi Provincial Office of Tourism and Sports and runs from 1 to 4 May 2026 along Pattaya Central Beach Road in Chonburi.
This event features a special concept under the theme "From Local Cuisine to Modern Culinary Fashion," reflecting the transformation of "local gems" from the three EEC provinces into a creative experience blending food, art, fashion, and entertainment. It aims to meet the expectations of modern tourists seeking both engaging content and delicious flavors.
The official opening ceremony took place on 1 May 2026, presided over by Mr. Narit Niramaiwong, Governor of Chonburi. He stated that the event gathers the "flavors of the Eastern region" in one place, offering tourists the opportunity to taste a variety of foods and purchase quality local products while enjoying the vibrant atmosphere and charm of Thai culture up close. Additionally, the festival serves as an important platform for restaurant operators, OTOP product makers, and local entrepreneurs to showcase their potential, generate income, and expand future business opportunities.
A highlight of the opening ceremony was a spectacular giant pan featuring signature ingredients from the three EEC provinces, symbolizing the collaboration of Chonburi, Rayong, and Chachoengsao. Attendees sampled the "EEC Fried Rice" dish while enjoying cultural performances that creatively combined music, movement, and stories reflecting the local culinary identity on stage.
The festival includes over 120 carefully selected food stalls and local product vendors from the three provinces, set in a relaxed seaside atmosphere with a vibrant Night Festival style. Visitors can enjoy a complete tasting experience and take home souvenirs from all three provinces in one visit.
Chonburi — Seafood and Legendary Flavors of the Gulf of Thailand
Leading the offerings is Somchai Fried Squid Egg, famous for its crispy outside and tender inside squid eggs with an enticing aroma. The Takhian Tia community presents traditional Chicken Curry in a coconut shell, a rare and authentic local recipe passed down for over a century. Additionally, the Bangsaen Seafood Bucket offers a variety of dishes including seafood buckets, instant noodles with shrimp eggs, and corn cheese—a favorite that keeps visitors coming back for more.
Rayong — Distinct Flavors from the Fruit Capital
Rayong presents a diverse range catering to lovers of spicy and aromatic tastes. Tom Yum noodles by To Tom Ton are a crowd favorite, featuring original recipes and a special bottled tom yum sauce perfect for souvenirs. Chok Moo Ob Oong offers clay-pot roasted pork knuckles and pork belly with a crispy outside and tender inside, using a traditional clay-pot roasting technique passed down through generations. To refresh, COCO LOVE serves a signature coconut smoothie with real sago pearls, delivering a sweet, creamy flavor infused with fresh coconut aroma straight from the source.
Chachoengsao — Treasures of the Paet Riu City
This fertile land along both banks of the Bang Pakong River brings fresh local products directly to the festival. Highlights include Ban Suan Melon from Ban Pho with Garno Sparkling Wine, a uniquely fragrant fruit soda. Farm Suk Samran offers fresh mangoes and mango smoothies sourced straight from the orchards for an authentic sweet taste. mAke On Farm guarantees freshness with large, fresh giant river prawns from their farm, featuring firm flesh and natural sweetness.
A special highlight is the inaugural EEC Food Runway Contest in the history of the Eastern Colors Festival. This competition features iconic local dishes from each area reinterpreted into "wearable fashion" on a long seaside runway. Contestants design and create outfits inspired by local foods or ingredients from the EEC provinces, judged by experts in fashion and cuisine. The contest took place on 1 May on the main stage by Pattaya Central Beach.
Attendees can also enjoy mini-concerts by well-known artists amid the sea breeze and beachfront lights, including YOURMOOD (1 May, opening night), HERS (2 May), Kantong Thung Ngern (3 May), and Planin Tem Baan (4 May). Another unmissable highlight is the handicraft and local wisdom demonstration zone, where visitors can participate hands-on and take their creations home.
Activities include making Khao Kway Ling, a rare traditional snack; crafting Jaeng Lon, a delicate basket-weaving art reflecting Eastern local craftsmanship; creating aromatic camphor wreaths with unique local scents; and painting coconut shell soap holders, a creative art piece made from natural materials that can be displayed at home immediately.
Throughout the event, The Jack Comedy Magic Show entertains audiences of all ages with fun performances, accompanied by continuous live music creating a warm and lively atmosphere from morning till night. Additional features include a coupon collection campaign for prize draws, family and children’s activities, and a stylish Food Runway photo zone catering especially to content creators.
To promote sustainable tourism, the festival campaigns to reduce plastic use by employing eco-friendly containers and clearly designated waste separation points. It also supports local entrepreneurs in expanding their businesses online through the "thaimeedee.com" platform, offering special promotions exclusive to the site.