The initiative integrates local culture, community enterprises, and the MICE industry to foster sustainable regional economic growth.
On 23 May 2026, at Chujai The Roaster in Khon Kaen Province, Professor Thidarut Boonmars, D.V.M., Ph.D., Vice President for Enterprise and Societal Sustainability at Khon Kaen University, attended the opening ceremony of the “Coffee Route Trip Khon Kaen Coffee Concert”. Organised under the “Creative MICE: Empowering Communities Across Thailand (Northeast)” project, the event aimed to promote coffee potential, community lifestyles, and the creative economy of Khon Kaen, while positioning the province as a regional hub for coffee culture and a Creative MICE Destination.
The event atmosphere was vibrant and welcoming, drawing a large crowd of coffee operators, creators, local business entrepreneurs, and coffee enthusiasts from various regions. Attendees gathered to support the launch of the “Khon Kaen Coffee Fest 2026”, an official annual festival featuring creative activities that seamlessly blend the essence of coffee, music, and community ways of life.
The opening ceremony was honoured by the presence of Mr. Prachuab Rakphaet, Vice Governor of Khon Kaen Province, alongside Ms. Areerat Montreepreechachai, Director of the Northeastern Regional Office of the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (Public Organisation) or TCEB. Distinguished guests from both the public and private sectors also attended to champion the “Khon Kaen IN A CUP” concept, which focuses on elevating Khon Kaen into a creative city capable of connecting cultural capital, local lifestyles, and community economies with the MICE and tourism industries.
The “Khon Kaen Coffee Fest” serves as more than just a venue for enjoying coffee; it acts as a vital platform for showcasing Khon Kaen’s identity through the stories of its people, communities, and a coffee culture that thrives alongside the creative economy. Furthermore, the festival provides valuable opportunities for local entrepreneurs to establish business networks, stimulate tourism, and generate sustainable economic value for the region.
The participation of Khon Kaen University (KKU) highlights its commitment to supporting regional creative economic development. By integrating academic knowledge and research with multi-sectoral collaborations involving public, private, and community partners, KKU continues to drive balanced and sustainable urban and social growth.
These activities align directly with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including promoting decent work and local economic growth (SDG 8), building sustainable cities and communities (SDG 11), and fostering partnerships for the goals among the public sector, private sector, academic institutions, and communities (SDG 17). This involvement reinforces KKU’s strategic role as a key driver of the creative economy and social sustainability in the region.
Images: Khon Kaen Chamber of Commerce / The Federation of Thai Industries, Khon Kaen Chapter
News: Division of Enterprise and Societal Sustainability, Khon Kaen University
