On May 27, 2025, the Creative Economy Agency (CEA), in collaboration with national-level partners and the Faculty of Architecture, Khon Kaen University, held a press conference to officially announce the upcoming Isan Creative Festival 2025 (ISANCF2025) under the theme “ISAN SOUL PROUD – อีสานโชว์พ(ร)าว”. The event took place at Glowfish Event Space, M Floor, Khon Kaen Innovation Centre.
This marks the fifth edition of the festival, to be held from June 28 to July 6, 2025, across four key creative zones in Khon Kaen, including TCDC Khon Kaen, the Kangsadan district, Colombo Creative Community, KKU Science Park, and the Sawathi community, as well as other creative locations throughout the Northeast region.
Associate Professor Dr. Kridtapart Tapalabutr, Dean of the Faculty of Architecture, Khon Kaen University, shared that the ISAN Creativity and Innovation Summit 2025, to be held during the festival, is organized under the concept “Isan Soft Power and Innovation”. The summit aims to serve as a driving force in the creative economy of ASEAN and the Greater Mekong Subregion, developing into a regional business platform that connects and amplifies the work of students, academics, experts, and entrepreneurs in the creative industries through engagement with businesses, investors, and stakeholders from across Thailand and abroad.
The summit will highlight five innovation clusters integrating creativity, design, and new technologies:
- Soft Power Novation – food, music, and performance
- Greenovation – environmentally conscious innovation
- Medical and Wellness Novation
- Ag-novation – agricultural innovation
- Tourism Novation
These focus areas will be showcased through exhibitions, business matching events, and an international academic conference. Beyond showcasing talent from academia and research, the event aims to lay a new foundation for regional value creation, positioning Isan as a future creative innovation hub of ASEAN.
The festival is supported by key national and private sector partners including TCEB, Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), Microsoft, AIS, 3BB Fibre3, Central Khon Kaen, and The Standard, with over 200 programs planned under seven key activity formats, such as:
- Creative academic forums
- Creative business platforms
- Public showcases and exhibitions
- Talks and workshops
- Entertainment events
- Creative markets
- Urban development initiatives
These activities directly align with SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, by promoting creativity-driven entrepreneurship and inclusive economic participation.
The event is also recognized internationally, as part of the World Design Weeks network and in alignment with the UNESCO Creative Cities Network, reinforcing Khon Kaen’s vision to become a global creative city.
The Faculty of Architecture, Khon Kaen University, warmly invites the public to join the ISAN Creativity and Innovation Summit 2025, to be held on July 5–6, 2025, at the KKU Science Park. This is an opportunity to witness the power of creativity and join the movement to bring Isan identity and innovation to the global stage, proving that “Isan is not only rich in flavor, but shines with creative energy.”
Follow more updates via:
Facebook Pages: ISAN Creativity and Innovation Summit 2025, APDS KKU, and Isan Creative Festival
Websites: https://arch.kku.ac.th | www.isancreativefestival.com
News by: Office of Communications, Faculty of Architecture
Photo by: Jakarin Ngurnthong
