DASTA congratulates Mueang Kao Sukhothai in winning the 2025 Green Destinations Gold Award and 5 DASTA’s destinations in achieving Green Destinations Top 100 Stories
“DASTA congratulates Mueang Kao Sukhothai in winning the 2025 Green Destinations Gold Award and 5 DASTA’s destinations in achieving Green Destinations Top 100 Stories”
DASTA congratulated Mueang Kao Sukhothai in winning the Green Destinations Gold Award and 5 DASTA’s destinations in achieving the Green Destinations Top 100 Stories in 2025. Both sucesses highlighted the results of joint collaboration between DASTA, local authorities, stakeholders, and communities in DASTA's designated areas for sustianable tourism, in developing internationally-recognized sustainable tourism destinations.
On 29 September 2025, Dr. Chuwit Mitrchob, Deputy Director-General for Strategy of DASTA, jointed the "Green Destinations Gold Awards 2025" ceremony as the representative of DASTA. This event was a part of the Green Destinations Global Conference 2025 hosted by Green Destinations Foundation during 28 -30 September 2025, in Montpellier, Occitanie, France.
DASTA, as the core coordinating organization developing and driving Mueang Kao Sukhothai, Sukhothai Province, toward the tourism standard certification, is delighted to represent its partners and relevant working teams in receiving the only Green Destinations Gold Award of Thailand in 2025. DASTA’s integrated approaches has created significant outcomes for 2 consecutive years; Thailand’s first GD Gold Award won by Nan Living Old City in 2024 and second GD Gold Award won by Mueang Kao Sukhothai in 2025.
Mr. Siripakorn Cheawsamoot, Director-General of DASTA, expressed his delights and honor for DASTA to be able to bring a great new of the second and newest Green Destinations Gold Award of Thailand to the Thai people.
'Mueang Kao Sukhothai'; Thailand's Only Green Destinations Gold Award of 2025
'Mueang Kao Sukhothai', Sukhothai Province, was evaluated with 8.6 out of 10 points which was the result of the successful integrated sustainable development and destination management since 2019, in line with the 38 indicators under Global Sustainable Tourism Council Criteria which are the heart of the development. According to the GD committee’s evaluation, Mueang Kao Sukhothai is highly outstanding in all 4 pillars: in the pillars of Destination Management, Business & Communication, Social Well-being, and especially in the pillar of Culture & Tradition which receive full score (10 scores) as a World Heritage Site and tourism community model that incorporated cultural heritage and contributed sustainably to local economy.
5 Local Tourism Destinations under DASTA's Designated Areas; Green Destination Top 100 Stories Awards 2025
Moreover, this year, 5 more destinations within DASTA’s designated areas were recognized as “Green Destination Top 100 Stories Awards 2025”, which marked the highest number of Top 100 Stories received from DASTA’s entries. Here is the list of the 5 destinations:
1. ‘Nan Never Sleeps: Reviving a Living Heritage City’ (Nan Province) in Destination Management category: a living heritage city with ‘participatory planning’ which is the heart of sustainable city development.
2. ‘When the Mekong Changed: A Chiang Khan Fishing Village's Journey Towards Sustainable Tourism’ (Loei Province) in Environment & Climate category: the establishment of local, community-led Taibaan Research team to study local ecosystem and share knowledge through knowledge center, as well as sustainably develop cultural tourism destinations, generate income for local community, restore local environment and conserve local identity.
3. ‘The "Walk & Eat in Naklua": Where Seafood, Stories, and Sustainability Meet’ (Chon Buri Province) in Destination Management category: Pattaya City and Naklua Community have been hosting “Walk & Eat in Naklua” festivals annually since 2009, boosting local economy and culture. This festival has become a significant stage for promoting more than 190 local business owners and connecting visitors with local way of life. The event welcomes more than 60,000 visitors and generates more than 150 million baht per year, creating inspirations for more cultural festival and events hosting in the area.
4. ‘Roots that Rise: Chakngeaw Chinese's Market Comeback’ (Chon Buri Province) in Thriving Communities category: restorative story of the old Teochew Chinese community with more than 100 years history through the establishment of ‘Chakngeaw Chinese's Market’, highlighting the journey of local cultural heritage rejuvenation toward becoming a popular tourist destination. The market generated more than 49 million baht per year, representing the successful tourism development of local cultural power and sustainable tourism management.
5. ‘Thachai–Si Satchanalai: Voices of the People, Heritage Reawakened’ (Sukhothai Province) in Thriving Communities category: a model tourism community that incorporated world heritage into local tourism as a living heritage and more than pictural backdrop, with ‘voice of local community’ as the core of the operation.
With these international recognitions, DASTA will continue to expand its operations to develop more destinations within its designated areas with all relevant stakeholders to achieve international quality and standard certifications, creating positive image for Thailand as a global tourism destination.
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