Thailand prepares for international horticultural expo in Udon Thani

The countdown to an international horticultural expo in northeastern Thailand marks a significant step towards transforming Nong Dae wetland into a centre for horticultural innovation and sustainability, ready to welcome visitors from around the world.

The Department of Agriculture, under the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, has joined Udon Thani province and the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) to begin the countdown and preparations for the Udon Thani International Horticultural Expo 2026. The Category B international horticultural exhibition is to take place on more than 164.8 hectares at Nong Dae wetland in Kut Sa subdistrict, Mueang district, Udon Thani, under the theme “Diversity of Life: Connecting People, Water, and Plants for Sustainable Living”.

Pongthai Taiyothin, deputy permanent secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives and acting director-general of the Department of Agriculture, said the event marked the countdown to transforming the wetland into a “universe of nature and innovation”, combining the appeal of Isan (Northeastern Thailand) culture with global green technology to give a massive boost to Thailand’s economy and tourism.

Six highlights for an international experience

• Horticultural innovation, flowers and ornamental plants: Displays feature rare plant varieties, tropical ornamental plants and precision agriculture technology to tackle the global warming crisis.
• International Gardens: Visitors can explore garden architecture and rare plants from member countries around the world.
• Sustainable Forested Zone: The “carbon credit forest garden” offers fresh air in a forest zone devoted to ecological restoration, alongside carbon reduction innovations and agriculture of the future.
• Isan Heritage & Green Innovation: Visitors can experience the beauty of traditional Isan flags, known as “thung”, and the waters of Nong Dae through ornamental plant architecture, advanced nurseries and stories of wild ducks as symbols of nature’s abundance.
• International academic exchange: Conferences, seminars and discussions provide a forum for global experts to exchange knowledge on agricultural technology.
• Night-time entertainment, local food, shopping and community life: Visitors can enjoy performances, colourful light and sound shows and interactive exhibitions throughout Nong Dae’s forest, and sample local food. Shopping highlights include silk, the “UDON BLOOMS” fabric pattern and innovative agricultural products available exclusively at the event.

Countdown to welcoming visitors worldwide for 134 days from Sunday (November 1, 2026)

“The Udon Thani International Horticultural Expo 2026 is ready to open its doors and bring the beauty of nature and the Isan way of life to the world’s attention, welcoming visitors for 134 memorable days. This marks an important step towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and developing Thailand into a green economy hub in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region. I invite Thai people and anyone interested around the world to join us and experience this spectacle,” Pongthai said.

Visitors are invited to join the countdown to the expo, which officially opens to the public on Sunday (November 1, 2026), and runs until Sunday (March 14, 2027), at Nong Dae wetland in Kut Sa subdistrict, Mueang district, Udon Thani.

The countdown signals a historic milestone for northeastern Thailand.

The expo is set to help stimulate economic activity and tourism while showcasing Thailand’s capacity to use local knowledge and environmental innovation to advance towards becoming an international green economy hub.