Udon Thani's International Horticultural Expo opens to the public on Sunday 1 November 2026 and runs until 14 March 2027, 134 days in all. It is the first expo of its kind in north-eastern Thailand to carry approval from the International Association of Horticultural Producers (AIPH), and it is being held on the Nong Dae wetland in Mueang Udon Thani district. General tickets cost 199 baht for Thai and foreign visitors alike.
So is a garden show worth a flight or a long drive to Isan? For plant lovers and families, probably yes, and for everyone else the timing helps: the run covers the whole cool, dry season, when the north-east is at its most comfortable.
At a glance
| Detail | What the organisers and officials say |
|---|---|
| Dates | 1 November 2026 to 14 March 2027 (134 days) |
| Formal opening ceremony | 2 November 2026 |
| Where | Nong Dae wetland, Kut Sa sub-district, Mueang Udon Thani district |
| Site size | 164.8 hectares, or just over 1,030 rai |
| Theme | Diversity of Life: Connecting People, Water and Plants for Sustainable Living |
| General ticket | 199 baht, Thai and foreign visitors |
| Expected visitors | More than 3.6 million, according to the province and AIPH |
What is there to see?
The Public Relations Department's Thailand.go.th portal lists six zones:
- Arrival and tickets, the welcome and information hub
- International and corporate gardens, where countries and companies show their own landscape designs
- Greenhouse and exhibition halls, with rare plants and international competitions
- Agricultural innovation, covering farm technology and mixed farming
- Thai agriculture, on traditional farming knowledge
- A carbon credit forest focused on forestry, wetland recovery and carbon reduction
The Nation reports 32 international gardens. Look out for the symbols chosen for the region, including the comb-crested duck, the dendrobium orchid and gotu kola, which run through the site design.
Which weeks to pick
The expo is not static. The organisers schedule rotating competitions and shows across the run, so the dates you choose change what you see. These are the dates on the official site as of 31 October:
| Dates | Show or contest |
|---|---|
| 1 to 11 November 2026 | Orchids and orchid gardens, part 1 |
| 14 November 2026 to 14 March 2027 | Handicrafts and arts |
| 28 November to 13 December 2026 | Cut flowers, potted flowering plants and flower gardens |
| 15 December 2026 to 3 January 2027 | Potted foliage plants and ornamental gardens |
| 22 to 26 January 2027 | Lotus competition |
| 29 January to 2 February 2027 | Planted aquarium contest |
| 3 to 7 March 2027 | Fruit contest and vegetable garden contest |
If orchids are your thing, go in the first fortnight. If you are coming with children over the school holidays, the December foliage and flower shows overlap with the Christmas and New Year break.
Tickets: what foreign residents pay
- General admission is 199 baht for Thai and foreign visitors. You can buy up to 14 tickets at a time from the All Ticket website, All Ticket counters in 7-Eleven stores nationwide, or the ticket booths at the site.
- Two cheaper season-style passes, the 134-day Udon Thani resident pass and the 30-day pass for Loei, Nong Khai, Nong Bua Lam Phu and Bueng Kan, are tied to a Thai ID card showing a home address in those provinces, so most expats will not qualify.
- Free one-day entry for children up to 15, people aged 60 and over and people with disabilities is listed as a Thai-only complimentary ticket.
- Group rates are for tour operators, hotels, transport firms and schools and are arranged through the organisers' LINE account.
- Every visitor has to register online before each visit, which the organisers say is for safety and to evaluate the event.
Is it worth the trip from Bangkok or Phuket?
Udon Thani is a long way from the south, and a garden show alone may not justify the journey for everyone. The case gets stronger if you treat it as a cool-season weekend in Isan, with Nong Prajak park and lake in the city as an easy add-on. Weekends and the New Year break are the obvious busy times, so book accommodation early if you plan to go then.
After the expo closes, the province plans to turn the Nong Dae site into a public park and learning centre, so this season is the only time to see the international gardens in their show form.
FAQ
When does the Udon Thani Horticultural Expo open?
It opens to the public on 1 November 2026 and runs until 14 March 2027. The formal opening ceremony is on 2 November.
How much is a ticket for foreigners?
A general ticket is 199 baht, the same price for Thai and foreign visitors.
Where do I buy tickets?
From the All Ticket website, All Ticket counters in 7-Eleven stores, or the ticket booths at the site.
Do children get in free?
Free entry for children up to 15 and people aged 60 and over is listed as a complimentary ticket for Thai nationals only, so check with the organisers before you travel.
Where exactly is it?
At the Nong Dae wetland in Kut Sa sub-district, Mueang Udon Thani district.
Sources and verification
Factual claims and service details were checked against the sources below on . Prices, rules and availability can change; confirm consequential decisions with the relevant authority or provider.
- Ticket sales open on 20 October: general ticket 199 baht and five ticket types (Thai)Udon Thani International Horticultural Expo 2026
- Official expo site (English): dates, site and activity calendarUdon Thani International Horticultural Expo 2026
- Udon Thani International Horticultural EXPO 2026Government Public Relations Department (Thailand.go.th)
- Udon Thani International Horticultural Expo 2026International Association of Horticultural Producers (AIPH)
- Udon Thani horticultural expo set to open (30 October 2026)The Nation