BANGKOK, Thailand – Thailand has emerged as the top convention destination in Southeast Asia, following its strongest performance to date in the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) Country and City Rankings for 2024. Released during IMEX Frankfurt 2025, the report places Bangkok in 7th place globally among cities for hosting international conventions, a significant improvement from its 15th position the previous year.
Based on data from over 11,000 global conferences, Thailand hosted 158 international conventions in 2024, up from 143 in 2023. This performance raised Thailand’s global ranking to 25th, a one-place improvement from the previous year, and placed it 5th in the Asia Pacific region. Bangkok alone accounted for 115 of these conventions, ranking it 3rd in Asia Pacific and 2nd in ASEAN, just behind Singapore.
In a further milestone, 13 Thai cities were included in this year’s ICCA report, the most ever recorded for the country. These include Chiang Mai, Pattaya, Phuket, Chon Buri, Chiang Rai, Pathum Thani, Hua Hin, Khon Kaen, Samui, Nakhon Ratchasima, Nonthaburi, and Pattani. The distribution signals growing capacity and diversification of Thailand’s meeting and convention venues.
Bangkok also placed 2nd in the Asia Pacific region in Cvent’s 2025 Top Meeting Destinations, based on over 18 billion US dollars in global sourcing activity, reinforcing its international appeal. Industry leaders say the presence of more cities in global rankings demonstrates the impact of expanded infrastructure and local engagement across the country’s key regions.
The latest data suggest that Thailand is gaining global traction as a host for international meetings, with rising demand helping to extend opportunities beyond the capital to other regional hubs. The country is expected to build on this momentum as competition for global events intensifies. (NNT)
