“Zabida” inaugurated the “Chalung Halal Street Food 2026” event in Satun Province, emphasizing Thai-Malay culture to generate community income. The event attracted halal food entrepreneurs from Malaysia and drew both Thai and international tourists.
On 26 June 2026, Ms. Zabida Thaiset, Minister of Culture, presided over the opening ceremony of the “Chalung Halal Street Food Kampung Chalung Halal Food” activity under the Development and Promotion of Tourism Value-Added Activities project for fiscal year 2026.
Ms. Zabida said the government, under Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul’s leadership, prioritizes leveraging cultural capital to create economic value while preserving local identity. The aim is to create opportunities, generate income, and improve quality of life for people across all areas.
“Satun Province has outstanding potential in natural resources, culture, lifestyle, and social diversity, especially Chalung Subdistrict, known for its unique halal food that is clean, safe, and religiously compliant. This charm attracts both Thai and international tourists, particularly visitors from Malaysia,” Ms. Zabida said.
Ms. Zabida stated that the “Chalung Halal Street Food Kampung Chalung Halal Food 2026” event, held from 26–28 June 2026 in Satun Province and organized by the Satun Provincial Tourism and Sports Office together with government and private sector partners, aims to promote halal gastronomy tourism and elevate Satun as a halal tourism destination in the ASEAN region. This aligns with policies promoting the grassroots economy, cultural power mobilization, and positioning Thailand as a halal food hub in the region.
The event features over 120 booths offering renowned halal restaurants, local foods, and community products, along with diverse activities reflecting local identity such as halal cooking competitions, roti, pulled tea, Tomah curry, and Pasmo competitions, Dikir Hululeka dance contests, Thai-Malay cultural performances, and a contest themed “The Charm of Kebaya: Thai Elegance with Value,” all supporting cultural values and creating economic benefits for the community.
Additionally, Malaysia cooperated by sending halal food entrepreneurs and cultural performance groups to participate, reflecting strong cultural and tourism relations between the two countries and elevating the festival to become a significant international halal event in the ASEAN region.
Ms. Zabida added that this event not only promotes tourism and the community economy but also widely showcases Satun’s cultural identity, instills pride among locals, and provides local entrepreneurs greater access to both domestic and international tourist markets.
