DASTA co-hosts PATA Destination Marketing Forum 2025 (PDMF 2025) promoting sustainable community-based tourism of Chiang Rai to Asia-Pacific tourism leaders

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"DASTA co-hosts PATA Destination Marketing Forum 2025 (PDMF 2025)
promoting sustainable community-based tourism of Chiang Rai to Asia-Pacific tourism leaders"

On 1-3 December 2025, Mr. Siripakorn Cheawsamoot, Director-General of Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration (Public Organization) along with DASTA executives and officers from Chiang Rai Designated Area for Sustainable Tourism Office (DASTA Chiang Rai), Corperate Communication Office, and Community-based Tourism Office, co-hosted the PATA Destination Marketing Forum 2025 (PDMF 2025) in Chiang Rai Province. This event is hosted by Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB), DASTA, Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and Chiang Rai Governor Office. There are more than 300 participants from 18 PATA member destinations across Asia Pacific and beyond, such as Malaysia, Indonesia, India, the Philippines, China, New Zealand, Australia, Spain, United Kingdoms, United States, Nepal, Bhutan, Palau, Oman, and Thailand.

DASTA is responsible for the PDMF Technical Tours (Destination Experiences) where PDMF participants were invited to experience unique and authentic sustainable community-based tourism and creative tourism activities of Thailand, promoting and connecting them to international tourism markets. DASTA has been co-hosting PDMF, along with its partners, in its designated areas and potencial areas for 4 years, namely PDMF2019 in Pattaya City, PDMF2022 in Songkhla, PDMF2024 in Phetchaburi, and PDMF2025 in Chiang Rai.

In this occasion, the Director-General of DASTA gave welcome speech at the PDMF opening ceremony on 3 December 2025, highlighting DASTA’s sustainable tourism development projects in Chiang Rai Province and its roles in driving the province to become a member of UNESCO Creative Cities Networks (UCCN) - City of Design in 2023, as well as emphasizing on Chiang Rai’s high-potential community-based tourism activities and destinations which were developed in line with ‘CBT Thailand Standard’ and were recognized by national and international standards and awards.

In the afternoon, the Director-General also participated in the panel discussion “From Creative Economy to Future MICE Setting”, exchanging ideas and best practices with panelists and the audience on sustainable MICE and CBT in connection to the future of tourism. DASTA team also joined the Welcome Dinner hosted by TAT at Singha Park Chiang Rai.

During PDMF 2025, DASTA hosted Technical Tours (Destination Experiences) on 2 December 2025 by inviting 150 PDMF delegates to experience unique and iconic destinations and creative CBT activities of Chiang Rai. With “Chiang Rai CBT Activities” and “Cultural Heritage” at its heart, DASTA developed and presented 3 technical tour routes with distinct characteristics for the delegates to immerse themselves in the beauty of the northernmost province of Thailand.

Route 1: Creative City of Design for Sustainability

Experiencing Chiang Rai Province – a member of UNESCO Creative Cities Network, Creative City of Design in 2023: Begin the journey with a visit to Wat Rong Khun – the iconic White Temple of Chiang Rai Province, visit Doi Tung Development Project (Royal Project) to learn its famous sustainable development models, and complete the journey at Ban San Thang Luang Community, a historic Yong ethnic group with rich cultural heritage and intricate textile designs and embroidery, and the PATA Gold Award Winner of 2025 in the Best Women Empowerment Initiative.

Route 2: Cave, Coffee and Contemporary Culture

Experiencing Chiang Rai Province’s cave, coffee and contemporary culture: Begin the journey at Tham Luang – Khun Nam Nang Non National Park (Preparatory) to learn about natural conservation and the successful global collaboration of Tham Luang cave world rescue in 2018, enjoy Akha cuisine at Pha Mee Community learning Akha traditional way of life, its coffee culture, and sustainable agricultural development initiated by the Royal Project, and immerse in artistic activity and creativity at renowned Chiang Rai-born artists’ houses; Doy Din Dang Art House (Pottery) - a pottery studio and factory found by Artist Somluk Pantiboon, Thailand National Artist in Visual Arts (Ceramics) of 2024 and Ban Dam Museum - an art museum famous for its decorated, black, Lanna-style houses founded by the late Artist Thawan Duchanee, National Artist in Visual Arts (Fine Arts) of 2001.

Route 3: History, Locality and Artisans

Experiencing Chiang Rai Province’s History and Art: Start your journey at the Golden Triangle, an important regional economic area with a historic drug trade, enjoy Chiang Saen Ancient City with its long history and beautiful temples on Sightseeing Trams, make Traditional Lanna Worship Offerings at Wat Chedi Luang Chiang Saen - an ancient Lanna-era temple with Community Enterprise Chiang Sean, and complete your day with a “painting with soil workshop” at Kwai Din Dak Art House, unleashing your creativity and creating a unique souvenir to bring home.

Special thanks to Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai Rajabhat University, Tourist Police and other related organizations and entities in Chiang Rai Province for the supports and collaboration which significantly contributed to the success of all 3 routes of the PDMF2025 Technical Tours.

DASTA team also had the opportunity to meet and discuss sustainable tourism development with the Saudi Tourism Authority (STA) where both sides look forwards to possible collaboration in the future.