November 12-14, Dusit Thani Hua Hin, Cha-Am, Phetchaburi City

Full Programme

Tue, November 12


Registration
Hospitality Desk for Tour and Transfer Information

0900 - 1730

At Leisure

Evening

Wed, November 13


Registration
Hospitality Desk for Tour and Transfer Information

0800 - 1730

0800

Welcome Reception hosted by Tourism Authority of Thailand
Venue: Casa Mare Hua Hin, The Regent Cha-Am Beach Resort, Hua Hin

1830-2100

Thu, November 14


0900-0905

Welcome by Master of Ceremonies

Paul Pruangkarn
Chief of Staff, PATA

0905 – 0910

Cultural Performance

0910 - 0915

Welcome Remarks by PATA

Peter Semone
Chair, PATA

0915 – 0920

Welcome Remarks by TCEB

Chiruit Isarangkun Na Ayuthaya
President, Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB)

0920 – 0925

Welcome Remarks by TAT

Thapanee Kiatphaibool
Governor, Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT)

0925 – 0930

Welcome Remarks by DASTA

Gp. Capt Athikun Kongmee
Director General, Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration (DASTA)

0930 – 0940

Welcome Remarks by Phetchaburi City

Wanpen Mungsri Deputy Governor, Acting Governor of Phetchaburi Province

0940 - 0950

Opening Ceremony

Niche Travellers, Big Impact
As travellers’ interests become increasingly fragmented and overtourism becomes prevalent, destinations must develop niche tourism to stay relevant. From stargazing to birdwatching, adventure to K-Pop, hear from our panellists on the creative niches that they are targeting - and how niche tourism is playing a vital role in their marketing strategy.

0950 - 1020

H.E. Faiyaz Murshid Kazi
Ambassador, Embassy of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh in Bangkok

Moderator:

Panellists:

Deepak Raj Joshi
CEO, Nepal Tourism Board

Siripakorn Cheawsamoot
Deputy Governor for International Marketing Europe America Middle East and Africa, Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT)

Anton Dilesh De Costa
Assistant Director, Tourism Planning and Development, Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority

Community-Driven Sustainability: Building a Future Through Responsible Development
This session delves into how Thai communities are pioneering sustainable and responsible development through community engagement and innovative practices, including renewable energy. Learn how Koh Jik, a small island now largely powered by renewable energy, has leveraged sustainability to strengthen local livelihoods and preserve its natural environment. Additionally, hear from Pa Deng in Kaeng Krachan District, where community-led development initiatives are fostering resilience and environmental stewardship. These examples highlight how responsible development not only benefits local communities but also enhances their potential as destinations for eco-conscious travellers.

1020 - 1050

Alisha Anne Somanas
Thailand Correspondent, TTG Asia

Moderator:

Panellists:

Narongchai Heamsuwan
Village Headman, Koh Jik

Tanai Potisat
Founder, ReCharge Energy Co Ltd

Kosol Saengthong
Founder, Roum-Jai-Tam-Roy-Pho Network Community Enterprise

Phetchaburi's Three Tastes: Salty
Phetchaburi was designated a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy and is known for its three tastes: salty, sweet, and sour. In this lightning presentation, experience the "salt" of Phetchaburi.

1050 - 1055

Arnon Wongchiang
Instructor, Management Hotel and Lodging, Faculty of Management Science, Silpakorn University

Speaker:

1055 - 1110

Networking Break

Community vs Tourism
Tourism is inherently a delicate balance between the community in which it exists and the tourists themselves. With the return of mass tourism after the pandemic, some locals are even taking steps to actively unwelcome tourists in their neighbourhoods. As natural resources become more strained, how can we move from a Community vs Tourism stance to a Community Tourism one? We put three panellists on the spot to discuss how they have approached tourism development from a community-centric point of view.

1110 - 1140

Moderator:

Ta Van Tuan
Director, Product Development and Innovation, Action on Poverty

Panellists:

Mike Stewart
GM Thailand, Laos and Myanmar, Intrepid Travel

Kritsanee Srisatin
Founder & Managing Director, Stream Events Asia Ltd.; Vice President, Thailand Incentive and Convention Association (TICA)

Dr Chuwit Mitrchob
Deputy Director General, Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration (DASTA)

Community vs Tourism Workshop
In this one-hour workshop, delegates will discuss together 3 questions related to Community Tourism, giving all delegates the opportunity to learn from the collective wisdom in the room.

1140 - 1240

Facilitator:

Pavnesh Kumar
Director - Sustainability & Research, PATA

Community Wisdom Beyond Tourism: Convincing a Community to Care for its Coral Reefs
When it comes to nurturing community wisdom, we must look for inspiration beyond the tourism industry. Dr Suchana Chavanich, a professor at the Department of Marine Science, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Thailand, has inspired a generation of young Thais to care about their marine ecosystems. Hear her journey to a more sustainable future.

1240 - 1250

Speaker:

Prof. Dr. Suchana Chavanich
Marine Biologist & Professor, Department of Marine Science, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University

1250 - 1255

Phetchaburi's Three Tastes: Sweet
Experience the "sweet" side of Phetchaburi

Speaker:

Arnon Wongchiang
Instructor, Management Hotel and Lodging, Faculty of Management Science, Silpakorn University

1255 - 1430

Hosted Lunch

Embracing Cultural Heritage: A Journey Through Music and Tradition
In this inspiring 30-minute session, we delve into the personal journey of Mathew Ngau Jau, a celebrated Sarawakian artist, as he shares his deep connection with his indigenous roots through the art of the Sape, a traditional Bornean lute. Mathew will explore why he chose to preserve and promote his cultural heritage in a modern world, discussing the significance of keeping ancient traditions alive. Through storytelling and music, he will highlight the powerful role that culture plays in uniting communities and fostering a deeper understanding of lesser-known destinations. This session offers valuable insights for destinations looking to preserve and showcase their unique identities while contributing to the global narrative of responsible and sustainable tourism.

1430 - 1500

Speakers:

Mathew Ngau Jau
Sape Master, Sarawak, Malaysia

Adrian Milang
Cultural practitioner & Community Manager, The Tuyang Initiative

Food is Always the Star of the Show
In this session, Feast Thailand will share how they bring Thai cuisine to life for travellers, focusing on the unique local dishes that are often missed in mainstream Thai food experiences. By highlighting these authentic flavours, Feast Thailand aims to elevate Thailand’s profile as a culinary tourism hotspot. Discover their approach to showcasing Thailand's rich food culture in ways that make it both accessible and enticing for global audiences, along with expert tips on framing these culinary experiences to captivate and inspire food-loving travellers.

1500 - 1520

Speakers:

Leigh Higgins
General Manager, Feast Thailand

Phetchaburi in Focus: Social Media Contest
Join us for an exciting 25-minute session as we announce the winners of the PDMF 2024 Social Media Contest. This event celebrates the creativity and engagement of participants who captured the essence of Phetchaburi’s rich culture, scenic landscapes, and unique culinary experiences through stunning photos and videos. Awards will be presented in categories such as “Most Creative Caption,” “Best Food Photo,” “Most Scenic Photo,” “Popular Vote,” and “Best Video.” For the "Popular Vote", five shortlisted entries will be showcased, and the audience will vote live to select the crowd favorite. Don’t miss this chance to celebrate the visual storytelling that highlights Phetchaburi’s sustainable tourism and community charm.

1520 - 1545

Facilitator:

Fernanda Rodak
Sustainability & Social Responsibility Project and Research Coordinator, PATA

1545 - 1555

Street Food: Balancing Tradition and Hygiene

Street food plays an essential role in a traveller’s overall interaction with a destination and its locals. But a negative experience can also play a detrimental role in the perception of a destination. How can food safety and hygiene be assured, yet still maintain the authenticity of street food traditions? And how can food wastage be tackled?

Speaker:

Dr. Supawan Teerarat
President, National Food Institute, Ministry of Industry, Thailand; Former Senior Vice President, Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau, Prime Minister’s Office

1555 - 1600

Phetchaburi's Three Tastes: Sour
Experience the "sour" side of Phetchaburi

Speaker:

Arnon Wongchiang
Instructor, Management Hotel and Lodging, Faculty of Management Science, Silpakorn University

1600 - 1615

Networking Break

Why Legacy Matters for MICE
In the MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) industry, the concept of "legacy" extends beyond the immediate economic impact of an event to focus on the long-tail positive impact it leaves on a destination and its community. Legacy can take many forms, including knowledge transfer, job creation, environmental sustainability, community engagement, driving social change and socio-economic upliftment. How can destinations leverage this new trend, whilst maximising the benefits for the local community? Our panellists explain what legacy means in a practical sense, what companies are looking for, and other upcoming MICE trends.

1615 - 1645

Moderator:

Prabha Nayar
Brand Strategist & Creative Director, Epic Works Consultancy

Panellists:

Parichat Svetasreni
Mega Events and World Festivals Director, TCEB

Dr. Peeradorn Kaewlai
Associate Professor of Architecture, Faculty of Architecture and Planning, Thammasat University

Noor Ahmad Hamid
CEO, PATA

The Disruptors of Discovery Are Coming
The traditional, mono channel method of figuring out where you wanted to travel to - looking in a travel magazine, buying a travel guidebook, chatting to a friend who'd recently returned from an exotic destination - are increasingly outdated. But the new method of Googling it could be on the way out, too. So where does that leave us? With the rise of mystery holiday travel agents, live streaming and an increasing demand for personalisation, destinations may have to relearn how to influence destination choice all over again.

1645 - 1700

Speaker:

Sarah Mathews
Managing Director, e-Tourism Frontiers

1700 - 1705

Paul Pruangkarn
Chief of Staff, PATA

Wrap Up

1900-2200

Farewell Reception hosted by Avani+ Hua Hin

Theme: Neon Night & Full Moon Party

Fri, November 15


Hospitality Desk for Departure and Transfer Information

0900-1700

- End of Programme -

Wednesday, Nov 13

Destination Experience

The technical tours are designed with sustainability in mind, aiming to reduce carbon emissions and minimising waste.

  1. The meals provided will feature a low-carbon menu, carefully portioned to meet your needs.

  2. Refill stations for drinking water will be available in some spots, please bring your own reusable bottle.

Let’s enjoy the experience to the fullest while minimising our impact on the planet! Please read this General Guideline before the tour.

Route 1 - Sweet and Sour Tastes of Phetchaburi

  • 8:00- Depart from Dusit Thani Hua Hin

MORNING

The group will visit “Phra Ram Ratchaniwet” (Wang Ban Puen), the second royal palace to be built by King Rama V in the period’s preferred Thai-European style. This building was constructed to be His Majesty King Rama V’s monsoon palace, but it was later finished under King Rama VI’s era in 1916.

Then, the group proceeds to “Ban Rai Krang Community” to take pleasurable time at the area’s iconic “paddy fields-toddy palm forest” scenery and learn the local way of life and gastronomic wisdom amongst toddy palm fields. The group will learn about one of the three flavours that made Phetchaburi Province, a City of Gastronomy - the local juicy “lime” representing “sourness”.

The participants will also get to make nutritious “toddy palm spicy salad” from local ingredients in the organic garden. 

NOON

The group will enjoy local dishes they helped prepare at the Ban Rai Krang Community.

AFTERNOON

The participants will move to the nearby “Tham Rong Community” where they take delight in the unique “three-flavours drink” and learn another aspect of toddy palm farmers’ wisdom of harvesting toddy palm fruit and its syrup and making ‘toddy palm cakes’, a traditional Thai sweet that made from toddy palm fruit and its sugar, an ingredient representing “sweetness”- another one of the three tastes of Phetchaburi.

  • 15:30- Depart for Dusit Thani Hua Hin

Route 2 - Artisans and Delicacies

  • 8:00- Depart from Dusit Thani Hua Hin

MORNING

The participants will take cable cars up to the three large mountain peaks where “Phra Nakhon Khiri Historical Park” (Khao Wang), the former summer palace of King Rama IV, was located. This palace complex is the most famous historical site of Phetchaburi Province and its longstanding provincial symbol.

After that, they will experience cultural community-based tourism at “the Old Phetchaburi Town Riverside Community” where they will learn of Phetchaburi’s history, its unique local food culture, and traditional artistic values of the Phetchaburi’s artistic school and endangered art of “Grand Shadow Play” (Nang Yai) traditional performance. The participants can immerse themselves in traditional arts and craftsmanship through creative tourism activities by watching Grand Shadow Play performance by local youths, learning how to perform the Grand Shadow Play, and making shadow puppet on their own

NOON

The group will get to enjoy Phetchaburi’s distinct and unique food culture at the Old Town 

AFTERNOON

The participants will visit “Lung Anake Thai Desserts Factory” to discover the traditional sweets of Thailand and its history in Phetchaburi. Participants will learn how the locals add value to local sweets by implementing standards, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) certification, Halal certification, innovations and artistry to Thai desserts. In addition, the group will also get to try their hands at making the traditional delicacies. 

  • 15:30- Depart for Dusit Thani Hua Hin

Route 3-1: Biodiversity at Traditional Salt Fields: Coastal Ecology

  • 8:00- Depart from Dusit Thani Hua Hin

MORNING

Participants will visit “Phetchaburi Aquacultic Demonstration Farm” - established as a royal project to experience how to manage the balance of biodiversity and to acquire local fisheries-related knowledge. Then, they will travel amongst the beautiful scenery of first salt fields of Siam, where traditionally made “salt” representing “saltiness” – one of the three tastes of Phetchaburi.

  • 8:00- Depart from Dusit Thani Hua Hin

MORNING

Participants will discover the diverse resident and migratory bird species with bird watching experts at “Pak Thale Reserve”. These salts fields were reserved for the birds’ habitat conservation, welcoming critically endangered species such as Spoon-billed Sandpiper and international bird watchers globally.


Then, participants will learn the history of salt farming and wisdom of its farmers in Phetchaburi at “Yung Gleua Restaurant & Café”, and make flavored seasonal salts to take home.

NOON

The group enjoys traditional and innovative dishes made from locally-sorted ingredients at Yung Gleua Restaurant & Café.

  • 15:30- Depart for Dusit Thani Hua Hin

Route 3 - Biodiversity at the First Salt Fields of Siam

Route 3-2: Biodiversity at Traditional Salt Fields: Bird Watching

AFTERNOON

Participants will visit “Mrigadayavan Palace” - the former summer palace of Love and Hope of King Rama VI. This seaside palace was built with golden teaks in mixed style of Thai-European Architecture.

Awards & Certification of the community-based tourism models, developed by the cooperation of DASTA and relevant stakeholders, included in the routes:

Ban Rai Krang Community

  1. Thailand Tourism Silver Awards 2023 in the category of Community Attraction, given by Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT)

  2. Community-based Tourism Standard (Excellent level) 2022 given by Department of Tourism (DoT)

  3. Top 10 Preferred Tourism Communities of TAT 2022 (5th year)

  4. Amazing Thailand Safety and Health Administration (SHA) and SHA+ Certification in 2021 given by TAT and Ministry of Public Health (MoPH)

  5. DASTA Awards 2019 in the category of Community-based Tourism, given by DASTA

Tham Rong Community

  1. First Prize of Gastronomy Idea-Pitching Competition of DASTA 2023 given by DASTA

  2. ASEAN Community-based Tourism Standard 2022 given by DoT

  3. Community-based Tourism Standard 2022 given by DoT

  4. Amazing Thailand Safety and Health Administration (SHA) and SHA+ Certification in 2021 given by TAT and Ministry of Public Health (MoPH)

Old Phetchaburi Town Riverside Community

  1. PATA Gold Award 2023 in the category of Culture (Traditional Performance and Visual Arts), given by Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA)

  2. ASEAN Community-based Tourism Standard 2022 given by Department of Tourism (DoT)

  3. Amazing Thailand Safety and Health Administration (SHA) and SHA+ Certification in 2022 given by Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and Ministry of Public Health (MoPH)

  4. Community-based Tourism Standard (Excellent level) 2020 given by DoT

  5. DASTA Awards 2019 (Excellent level) in the category of Community-based Tourism, given by DASTA

  6. Cultural Tourism Community Award 2018 (Excellent level) given by Department of Cultural Promotion, the Ministry of Culture