The Governor of Pathum Thani demonstrated making som tum at the "Chao Phraya Way, Pathum Thani" Thai cultural market, which featured more than 80 vendors from 22 to 24 May 2026.
On 23 May 2026, reports stated that at 5:00 p.m. on 22 May, Mr. Ekawit Meepian, Governor of Pathum Thani, presided over the opening ceremony of the "Chao Phraya Way, Pathum Thani" Thai Cultural Market. Attending were Mrs. Latsama Thareekas, Director of Pathum Thani Provincial Culture Office; Second Lieutenant Theerapol Choknamchai, Pathum Thani Deputy Governor; Mr. Noppadol Phonsue, District Chief of Thanyaburi; Ms. Supeeporn Mora, Head of Pathum Thani Provincial Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office; Mr. Nimit Khankachit, Pathum Thani Commercial Officer; Associate Professor Kerdsiri Thongsiri, Vice President of Pathum Thani Cultural Council; along with government officials and the public at Alive Park Hall, Ground Floor, Future Park and The Mall Shopping Center, Thanyaburi District, Pathum Thani Province.
Mrs. Latsama Thareekas, Director of the Pathum Thani Provincial Culture Office, reported that the "Chao Phraya Way, Pathum Thani" Thai Cultural Market is part of initiatives to develop waterway and cultural tourism under the project to enhance and upgrade tourism potential in Pathum Thani Province. This aligns with the national strategy focusing on creative and sustainable cultural tourism. Pathum Thani’s strength lies in its location along the Chao Phraya River, with a long history and distinct cultural assets, including beautiful temples, delicious food, and a multicultural community lifestyle.
The project has opened tourism routes along the Chao Phraya Riverbanks in Mueang and Sam Khok districts to create added tourism value through the sale of cultural wisdom products and community goods. This promotes participation from all sectors in managing community tourism, aiming for strong and sustainable development.
The event’s activities include: 1. Collecting and surveying cultural data, community lifestyles, and cultural resources to promote community tourism along the Chao Phraya River; 2. "Good Host" training to develop community capacity in managing religious and cultural tourism, being good hosts, and storytelling; 3. "Chao Phraya Way" activities involving product development, promoting tourist sites such as Wat Sing and Wat Bot (Luang Pu Thian), river cruises titled "Explore Communities Along the Chao Phraya Way, Pathum Thani," and the Thai Cultural Market held from 22 to 24 May 2026 at Alive Park Hall, Future Park and The Mall Shopping Center.
The Thai Cultural Market event today featured more than 80 local business vendors from Pathum Thani, demonstrations of cultural wisdom products, and cultural performances reflecting Pathum Thani’s unique identity. Performances by well-known artists took place throughout the three-day event.
After the opening ceremony on stage, Mr. Ekawit Meepian, Governor of Pathum Thani, toured the various vendor booths within the event, demonstrating how to make som tum at one of the participating stalls. Afterwards, he invited the provincial culture director and media representatives to taste the som tum. In good spirits, he revealed, “This is the first time in my life I have made som tum,” which drew laughter and cheers from the attendees.