Creative Economy Agency

The Creative Economy Agency (Public Organization) or CEA, is set to officially launch the “CEA Southern Regional Office” in Songkhla Province, marking a significant milestone in strengthening the creative economy across Southern Thailand’s 14 provinces. The new regional office will serve as a key mechanism for integrating knowledge, networks, and business opportunities to unlock the region’s creative potential, elevate local cultural assets, and drive sustainable economic growth at both national and international levels. 

“CEA Southern Regional Office” aims to nurture “Creative People” by providing young talents, entrepreneurs, designers, communities, and businesses with access to knowledge resources, creative services, and nationwide networks through the newly established “Thailand Creative & Design Center, Songkhla” (TCDC Songkhla). At the same time, the office will support “Creative Business” development by leveraging the South’s rich cultural assets, tourism strengths, wellness potential, and service industries, while promoting “Creative Cities” and local creative festivals as engines of a new economy that responds to the demands of a rapidly changing world. Together, these efforts will contribute to positioning Thailand as a “Creative Nation” in a tangible and sustainable way. 

Driving the De-Stress Economy: Positioning Southern Thailand as a Global Creative Wellness & Tourism Hub

The establishment of CEA Southern Regional Office reflects CEA’s vision of harnessing “creativity” as a strategic tool for economic, social, and urban development while enhancing quality of life and fostering long-term sustainability. Southern Thailand is one of the country’s most promising regions for the creative economy, with strengths spanning culture, gastronomy, crafts, music, tourism, and the diversity of its people and landscapes.

Today, the region generates more than THB 220 billion in creative economy value and is home to over 9,610 creative businesses. More than 80 percent of these businesses are connected to the tourism sector, which generated over THB 68.17 billion in revenue in 2022. These figures highlight the region’s strong potential to pioneer a new economic model through the concept of the “De-Stress Economy” — an economy centered on well-being, balance, and meaningful experiences that responds to emerging global trends and future lifestyles. By building upon its unique strengths in nature, cuisine, culture, and local ways of life, Southern Thailand is poised to become a leading global “Creative Wellness & Tourism Hub.”

Supporting People, Businesses, and Cities Through a Comprehensive Creative Ecosystem

CEA Southern Regional Office will serve as a regional hub for creative economy development, focusing on talent, business, cities, and creative industries through four key strategic pillars:

1. Nurturing Creative Potential

• TCDC Songkhla will serve as the regional hub of the TCDC network in Southern Thailand and a center for creative learning and knowledge, offering resources and services for the public, designers, entrepreneurs, and local communities.
• The Southern TCDC network includes TCDC Phuket and TCDC Pattani, both developed through partnerships between CEA and local government agencies, and scheduled to open by 2026.
• miniTCDC and miniTCDC LINK networks located across Southern Thailand help expand access to creative knowledge, resources, and activities, providing students and educational institutions throughout the region with greater opportunities for learning and creative development. 

2. Supporting Creative Growth

• Supporting creative entrepreneurs, businesses, and industries to create greater value and expand economic opportunities through initiatives such as the “Made in” program, which revitalizes distinctive local assets by pairing traditional businesses with emerging creative talents to develop new business models, and the “Empowering Local Asset” program, which builds on existing local assets to develop new products and services that generate new economic value. 
• Supporting the growth of the region’s high-potential creative industries by connecting culture, local identity, and innovation with the contemporary economy. 

3. Driving Creative Cities

• Supporting the development of creative districts and cities to enhance economic opportunities, improve quality of life, and strengthen local identity. Advancing place-based development through regional creative festivals, including Pakk Taii Design Week in Songkhla, Pattani Decoded in Pattani, Creative Nakhon in Nakhon Si Thammarat, and Trang Renown in Trang, among others.

4. Connecting Creative Networks

• Fostering collaboration among government agencies, private-sector organizations, academic institutions, and creative networks both in Thailand and internationally. Advancing initiatives such as the “Creative District Development” Program, which helps shape clear directions for urban development rooted in local identity while creating a better future for cities and their communities.

Celebrating the Launch of CEA Southern Regional Office
“Refining Southern Spectrum: Empowering the South Through Creativity”

To mark its official opening in June, CEA Southern Regional Office will host a series of creative programs under the theme “Refining Southern Spectrum: Empowering the South Through Creativity,” showcasing the region’s people, culture, places, assets, and creative industries from past to present. The event will take place from 19 - 21 June 2026 at the CEA Southern Regional Office building in Songkhla Province. 

Explore Program Highlights That Reflect the Diverse Spectrum of Creativity Driving Southern Thailand Forward: 

1. Exhibition & Showcase

• “Southern Soul, Global Sanctuary” presents the region’s potential through the lens of the De-Stress Economy and wellness tourism.
• “South Dimension” showcases artworks and furniture inspired by local wisdom and materials, created by leading Southern artists and designers, including Mobella Studio, TIMA Craft, Sarnsard, Benjametha Ceramic, and Kufan Gallery, among others.

2. Pop-Up Store & Market

• “Neighbor Lard” brings together more than 50 creative products and services rooted in Southern Thailand’s distinctive culture of comfort and well-being, spanning five categories: Slow Craft, Comfort Food, Gentle Tourism, Wellness Calm, and Spirit Vibes.

3. Creative Talk & Workshop

• A series of talks and workshops led by experts from diverse fields, including “South Shift: Reframing Regional Growth,” which explores the future of Southern Thailand’s economy amid changing national and global contexts.

4. Music & Performing Arts

• A vibrant program of traditional and contemporary performances showcasing the diverse identities and aspirations of Southern communities, including Rhythm of Sati x Nora Tammanit, Singora Harmony, and Rhythm Worn by the Body, among others.

Join the “CEA Southern Regional Office” in exploring new opportunities for Thailand’s creative economy. As a regional hub for the creative ecosystem, the office is dedicated to connecting people, creativity, and opportunities to unlock the full potential of Southern Thailand. Visitors are invited to participate in a series of creative programs and activities from 19 - 21 June 2026, from  10.30 - 21.00 hrs, at the CEA Southern Regional Office in Songkhla. Together, we can shape a new future for the South, foster sustainable growth in the creative economy, and play a part in advancing Thailand’s vision of becoming a “Creative Nation.”

For more information
Website: www.cea.or.th
Facebook: Creative Economy Agency
Facebook: TCDC Songkhla

Posted in news-en on มิ.ย. 08, 2026