Expo organisers given a week to address complaints

The Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry has given organisers of the Udon Thani International Horticultural Expo 2026 seven days to address visitor complaints about transport, ticketing and facilities following its opening on Nov 1.

Deputy Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Watcharaphon Khaokham said the ministry had received complaints from visitors and on social media and instructed relevant agencies to fix problems that could be resolved immediately. Issues requiring further coordination would be referred to the provincial event subcommittee.

Parking and transport are among the priorities. Additional parking spaces have been opened near the ticket office, while the province has been asked to arrange shuttle buses, seating and timetable signs. The ministry is also seeking to hire buses from Nakhon Ratchasima Zoo and expand transport services within the venue.

Other improvements include more signs and leaflets to help visitors navigate the six exhibition zones, additional mobile toilets, rubbish bins and better solar-powered lighting. The ministry has also called for more drinking-water points, vending machines, food stalls and souvenir shops.

The ticketing process is also being reviewed. Visitors who buy tickets online currently have to register again at the entrance. Mr Watcharaphon said organisers had explained that the additional step was intended to collect data for an event assessment.

The ministry plans to collect the information after visitors leave instead, eliminating the need for repeat registration before entry.

Mr Watcharaphon also called for shuttle routes connecting the venue with nearby communities and tourist attractions to spread tourism revenue beyond the expo grounds.

The ministry is considering turning the site into a permanent exhibition centre, public park and conservation tourism destination after the event.

The expo runs until March 14 and has a total budget of 2.75 billion baht.