Chonburi: Surasak is thrilled with the overwhelmingly positive reception of "Tomorrowland" in Chonburi, with tickets selling out on the first day. He anticipates attracting 85% foreign tourists within 5 years, generating over 30 billion baht in revenue. He also plans to develop Hua Hin into an international airport and distribute tourism to secondary cities.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Surasak Panjaroenvorakul, Minister of Tourism and Sports, revealed that the Ministry of Tourism and Sports reported to the Cabinet meeting on the progress of preparations for Tomorrowland, a world-class music festival to be held from December 11-13, 2026 in Chonburi province. This is considered a major event that will significantly stimulate the Thai economy, with a contract for the event to be held continuously for 5 years.
The response exceeded expectations. After 150,000 tickets went on sale (50,000 per day), they sold out in just 15-20 minutes on the first day. The proportion of ticket buyers was high, with foreign tourists accounting for 85% and Thais 15%. Interestingly, the package deals including tickets and accommodation for foreigners averaged no less than 150,000 baht per package.
The influx of long-haul tourists will lead to longer stays, generating significant economic activity specifically during the event, amounting to 6-7 billion baht annually. Over the five years of the event, it is projected to generate total revenue of at least 30 billion baht. Furthermore, it will create over 4,000 jobs for Thai people in the area, including drivers, technicians, and sound engineers.
In terms of safety, there has been integrated cooperation between Chonburi Province, the Provincial Police, the Tourist Police, and the event organizers to establish a safety center and provide shuttle buses to prevent traffic paralysis.
Regarding the progress in upgrading Hua Hin Airport to an international airport, the latest update is that efforts are being monitored to open it up to direct flights from overseas. This aims to attract tourists from various countries, such as Malaysia, Taiwan, China, and Singapore, making it easier for them to travel to Hua Hin and surrounding areas.
This expansion of Hua Hin Airport is part of a joint strategy with the Ministry of Transport to distribute tourists and reduce congestion, preventing it from being concentrated solely at major airports such as Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, Chiang Mai, or Phuket.
In addition to Hua Hin, there are plans to develop several more airports in other provinces, such as Nakhon Phanom, into international airports. This approach will help increase convenience for travelers and is a key mechanism for attracting tourists and distributing income to local communities and cities more efficiently and comprehensively.