The Cabinet has approved a 290 million baht central budget to hire publicity and organize activities for the 2026 Udon Thani World Horticultural Expo, aiming to accelerate the Northeastern economic engine. The event is expected to attract 3.6 million visitors, generate 32 billion baht in economic turnover, and create 81,000 jobs.
On 10 June 2026, Second Lieutenant Phatdarasmi Thongsaluaykorn, Deputy Spokesperson of the Prime Minister's Office, announced progress on the 2026 Udon Thani World Horticultural Expo, scheduled from 1 November 2026 to 14 March 2027 at the Nong Da wetland area, Kud Sa Subdistrict, Mueang Udon Thani District, Udon Thani Province. She stated that the Cabinet approved the allocation of 290,901,500 baht from the 2026 central budget contingency fund for emergency or necessary expenses to cover management, publicity, and event activities in accordance with the International Association of Horticultural Producers (AIPH) standards and timeline. This budget is part of the previously approved 2.5 billion baht overall event budget by the Cabinet on 4 January 2022.
Following this, the Department of Agriculture will expedite procurement processes to ensure transparency, cost-effectiveness, and strict compliance with the 2017 Public Procurement and Supplies Administration Act.
The Deputy Spokesperson noted that the 2026 Udon Thani World Horticultural Expo has been certified by the International Association of Horticultural Producers (AIPH). It marks the world's first horticultural expo held on a wetland area and the first in Thailand to be hosted in the Northeastern region. The expo aims to showcase capabilities in horticulture, agriculture, technology, innovation, and biodiversity, while creating economic, tourism, and regional development opportunities at both regional and national levels.
The government expects the event to become a new economic engine for the Northeast, with approximately 3.6 million visitors generating over 32 billion baht in economic circulation, contributing more than 20 billion baht to gross domestic product (GDP), creating around 81,000 jobs, and generating about 7.7 billion baht in tax revenue. This will provide key opportunities to promote tourism, trade, investment, and urban development in Udon Thani and surrounding areas, while boosting income for hotel operators, restaurants, transportation, community enterprises, farmers, and service sectors in the region.
Second Lieutenant Phatdarasmi added that the government prioritizes post-event utilization of the area (Expo Legacy), with plans to develop the Nong Da wetland into an environmental learning center, public space, and venue for provincial activities to provide continuous benefits for the local community and residents over the long term.
The government, through the Ministry of Agriculture, will monitor progress in all aspects, including budget use, construction, safety, service systems, publicity plans, and post-event site utilization, to ensure the 2026 Udon Thani World Horticultural Expo serves as a key platform for enhancing economic value, promoting tourism, and elevating Thailand's horticultural and agricultural innovation capabilities internationally.