Four Lands One Creative Spirit at Baan Kang Wat

September 17

UNESCO Creative Cities come together in Chiang Mai to celebrate crafts, folk arts and creative economy
Chiang Mai Provincial Administrative Organisation (PAO) is bringing together four UNESCO Creative Cities from across Thailand for “Si Thin San Silp San Siang” (Four Lands, One Creative Spirit), a two-day programme promoting the exchange of handicrafts and folk arts among members of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network.
The event, taking place on Sept 17–18, 2026, at Baan Kang Wat in Chiang Mai, aims to create a platform for knowledge exchange, strengthen cooperation among creative cities and explore ways to turn local cultural heritage into opportunities for the creative economy.
The programme brings together representatives from four UNESCO Creative Cities in Thailand — Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Suphan Buri and Nan — along with artists, craftspeople, designers, entrepreneurs and young creatives.
Through exhibitions, demonstrations and discussions, participants will share their experiences and explore new ways to connect traditional craftsmanship and folk arts with contemporary design.
A key attraction is the Creative Market, featuring products and creative works from all four cities. Visitors can also watch Craft & Design Demonstrations, offering a closer look at traditional skills and contemporary approaches to craft and product development.
On Sept 17, a panel discussion titled “Four UNESCO Creative Cities: From Local Identity to Collaboration and the Creative Economy” will bring together representatives from Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai and Suphan Buri, alongside young creatives from Nan. The discussion will focus on how local wisdom and cultural identity can be preserved while creating new ideas, innovations and opportunities for younger generations. The opening day will also feature a musical exchange between Chiang Mai and Suphan Buri, highlighting the role of music and cultural expression in connecting communities and strengthening ties between creative cities.

On Sept 18, the programme will continue with discussions on potential areas of collaboration among the four cities, followed by a summary of proposed cooperation initiatives aimed at strengthening Thailand’s network of UNESCO Creative Cities in the years ahead. More than a showcase of handicrafts and folk arts, the event reflects an effort to connect local identity with contemporary creativity, creating new opportunities for artists, craftspeople, entrepreneurs and the next generation of creative talent.
The organisers invite the public, artists, designers, craftspeople, entrepreneurs and anyone interested in Thai culture and creativity to experience the event and discover how local heritage can contribute to the sustainable development of cities.