The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has designated the northern province of Chiang Rai and the central province of Suphan Buri in Thailand among 55 new members of its Creative Cities Network (UCCN) for 2023.

 Chiang Rai was designated a “Creative City of Design” and Suphan Buri a “Creative City of Music,” according to an announcement made by UNESCO on 31 October 2023. With the latest additions, the UCCN now counts 350 cities in more than 100 countries, representing seven creative fields: Crafts and Folk Art, Design, Film, Gastronomy, Literature, Media Arts and Music. The cities were acknowledged for their strong commitment to harnessing culture and creativity as part of their development strategies and displaying innovative practices in human-centered urban planning. 

The 55 newly designated Creative Cities are invited to participate in the 2024 UCCN Annual Conference, to be held in Braga, Portugal, from 1 to 5 July 2024, under the theme “Bringing Youth to the table for the next decade.” 

Minister of Culture Sermsak Pongpanit said that Chiang Rai and Suphan Buri, which are now recognized as UNESCO creative cities, would become the country’s major provinces for cultural tourism. They are also expected to attract more tourist arrivals, thus stimulating the local economy and generating more income for local communities.

He stated that, previously, five cities in Thailand were included in the list of UCCN members. Phuket was named a “Creative City of Gastronomy” in 2015, Chiang Mai a “Creative City of Crafts and Folk Art” in 2017, Bangkok a “Creative City of Design” in 2019, Sukhothai a “Creative City of Crafts and Folk Art” in 2019, and Phetchaburi a “Creative City of Gastronomy” in 2021.

Mr. Sermsak said that Thailand had also submitted a proposal for Chiang Mai province to host the UCCN Annual Conference in 2025.