Bangkok, in a major stride to invigorate its tourism sector and economy, has declared itself the upcoming host for two illustrious music festivals, Summer Sonic and Tomorrowland. This move is aimed at countering the setback from missing out on Taylor Swift’s global tour, with an eye on economic revitalization through large-scale events.
Scheduled for August 24-25, Summer Sonic is set to grace Southeast Asia for the first time, with its venue at Impact Muang Thong Thani, marking a geographical expansion from its Japanese roots. Meanwhile, the world-acclaimed dance music extravaganza, Tomorrowland, is poised to introduce its magic to Thailand in 2026, hinting at the start of a decade-long series of events within the country.
This ambitious venture echoes Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s economic rejuvenation plans, incorporating tourist-attracting measures like visa waivers. Amidst a backdrop of a sluggish economy, growing at an average of under 2% over the past decade—a figure trailing behind regional standards—the government is setting its sights on lengthening tourist visits and making Thailand a year-long festival destination.
Event organizers and government officials are optimistic that hosting such globally recognized festivals will not only spike foreign tourist numbers but also provide a significant uplift to the national tourism sector, steering the country towards its goal of recapturing its pre-pandemic visitor count of 40 million.
