Bangkok, 5 October, 2022 – Chiang Mai has been selected as one of five “World Festival and Event Cities” for 2022 by the International Festivals and Events Association (IFEA) at the 65th Annual IFEA Convention, Expo & Retreat presented by Haas & Wilkerson Insurance, which took place on 21 September, 2022, in McAllen, Texas, United States.
Representing Chiang Mai at the awards ceremony were Mr. Worayarn Boonyanarat, Vice Governor of Chiang Mai, and Dr. Jutha Tharachai, Northern Regional Office Director of the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB). TCEB and the Visit Lanna Association nominated Chiang Mai for the award.
In its 2022 IFEA World Festival & Event City Award Recipients, IFEA said of Chiang Mai: “An economic hub of Northern Thailand, Chiang Mai boasts beautiful culture and abundant natural resources. The city’s offers international-quality tourism services, and priceless arts and cultural experiences have greatly impressed visitors.
With a long history and the unique Lanna culture, Chiang Mai is packed with traditional festivals that deeply reflect the residents’ beliefs and ways of life. On the other hand, their creativity has led to the creation of many contemporary festivals and events that invigorate the city and engage visitors in year-round activities with the locals.
The city of Chiang Mai is committed to becoming a city of festivals and events with a keen eye on sustainable development on the grounds of balanced coexistence between humans and nature. Such an ideology lies at the heart of Chiang Mai’s local culture.
Stakeholders in the city, including the government, private, public and education sectors, have collaborated in organising festivals and events to welcome and immerse visitors in an experience of this delicate culture, while they bask in the exquisite landscape of Chiang Mai among the lush forests and mountains of Northern Thailand.”
Simultaneously, the Bangkok Music City 2021 event, the Ubon Ratchathani Lent Candle Procession 2019 event, and the Loei Art Fes 2021 event were named the Bronze winners of the 2022 IFEA/Haas & Wilkerson Pinnacle Awards. The announcement was made on 19 September, 2022, at the aforementioned event. TCEB also nominated the three festivals for the awards.
Previously, in March 2022, the ‘Pattaya International Fireworks Festival’ was named as one of Asia’s top three Ocean Cities’ Festivals by IFEA Asia, following the July 2021’s naming of the ‘Thai Songkran Festival’ as one of the major festivals of Asia.
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