Cabinet moves 2029 Korat horticultural expo to Pak Chong
Thailand relocates the 4.281-billion-baht Korat horticultural expo to state land in Pak Chong, with international approvals due in September and October
- The Cabinet approved relocating the 2029 Korat International Horticultural Expo from Khong district to the Dairy Cattle Research and Development Center in Pak Chong district.
- Pak Chong was selected because it is better equipped in terms of transport and utilities, while its state-owned site will help reduce the government’s budget burden.
- The event’s budget remains unchanged at 4.281 billion baht, while its official English name has been revised to “International Horticultural Expo 2029 Korat Thailand”.
The Cabinet has approved the relocation of Nakhon Ratchasima’s 2029 international horticultural expo from Khong district to the Dairy Cattle Research and Development Center in Pak Chong, while retaining the event’s 4.281-billion-baht budget.
Capt Patdarasm Thongsaluaykorn, deputy government spokeswoman, said the decision revised Cabinet resolutions adopted on November 16, 2021, and January 4, 2022, concerning the venue.
The new venue was selected following a cost-effectiveness study conducted by the Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) and relevant agencies.
Pak Chong selected for greater readiness
The assessment covered transport links, utilities, accommodation, medical facilities, visitor capacity and the overall readiness of each site.
The Pak Chong location belongs to the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, removing the need to purchase additional land and reducing the government’s long-term budget burden.
The Cabinet ordered officials to accelerate preparation of a master plan and a legacy plan setting out how the venue will be managed and used after the expo. The plans must ensure that investment in the site remains appropriate, cost-effective and useful beyond the event.
Budget retained at 4.281 billion baht
The overall budget remains at 4.281 billion baht, in line with the Cabinet resolution of January 4, 2022.
Funding related to the venue change includes:
- 88.33 million baht from the central budget to commission the master plan and detailed designs for construction at the venue
- 6 million baht to reassess the new site’s readiness and prepare documents supporting the venue change
International approvals face tight deadlines
Thailand must demonstrate the new site’s readiness to the International Association of Horticultural Producers (AIPH) by Friday (September 4, 2026).
The government must then seek approval from the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) on October 6 under the international certification process.
The expo is scheduled to open on November 10, 2029, leaving officials to complete preparations within the required standards and timetable.
The Cabinet also acknowledged a change to the event’s official English name under BIE requirements.
The previous names, “Nakhon Ratchasima International Horticultural Expo 2029” and “Korat Expo 2029”, will be replaced by:
- Official name: International Horticultural Expo 2029 Korat Thailand
- Short name: Expo 2029 Korat Thailand
- New plan required for former venue
The NESDC proposed that Nakhon Ratchasima province and relevant agencies prepare a plan for land already developed at the former Khong venue.
Residents, farmers and other local stakeholders should be allowed to help determine how the site will be used, with future development intended to support employment security, income and quality of life in the area.
