Chiang Rai and Suphan Buri join the “UNESCO Creative Cities Network” (UCCN) in Thailand, thus joining the five existing ones in the Land of Smiles (Phuket, Chiang Mai, Bangkok, Sukhothai and Phetchaburi). Both cities have been included and recognized, along with 53 other cities around the world, with this distinction for cities with a strong commitment to harnessing culture and creativity as key urban development strategies. While Chiang Rai has been listed as a “Creative City of Design”, highlighting Lanna culture, Suphan Buri has been recognized as a “Creative City of Music”, promoting traditional music internationally and will work on five-year roadmaps to encourage sustainability and local participation.
