Phuket’s vegetarian festival and Surat Thani’s Chak Phra win global event awards
Phuket and Surat Thani shine globally with Phuket's vegetarian festival winning Host City Awards 2025, while Surat Thani's Chak Phra festival ranks in Top 4 Best Event.
Thailand has once again made a mark on the global stage as Phuket's "Vegetarian Festival" won the Outstanding Economic Impact Award at the Host City Awards 2025.
Meanwhile, Surat Thani's "Chak Phra" (Pulling the Buddha) festival was named a Top 4 finalist in the Best Event Engagement & Fan Growth category, competing alongside major global events in Glasgow, UK.
Phuket’s win comes in the year marking the 200th anniversary of the Vegetarian Festival, reinforcing the economic and social power of Thai cultural heritage. While Surat Thani did not take home the top prize, its inclusion in the top four highlights the festival's remarkable ability to engage and grow its audience globally.
The Host City Awards, a key platform for major events and city marketing in Europe, attracts global participation from host cities, sports organisations, and event agencies. Winning such an award significantly enhances the nation's image as an international MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions) destination.
Dr Supawan Teerarat, president of the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB), said this award reaffirms that Thai traditions can meet international standards in cultural, economic, and community engagement value.
“Phuket and Surat Thani's achievements mark another significant step for Thailand in bringing its traditions to the global stage,” she said, adding that TCEB will continue to strongly support Thai MICE cities."
