The Next Chapter of Chiang Mai Design Week

A Talk with the Director of CEA Northern Regional OfficeThe Next Chapter of Chiang Mai Design WeekStepping into the Next Era of Collaboration, Creativity, and GrowthIn the early morning in Chiang Mai, sunlight filters through the trees lining the old city moat. Red Songthaews slowly pass through Tha Phae Gate, while the aroma of coffee from local cafés mixes with the sound of bicycles along narrow lanes. People gradually step out from their accommodations, beginning a new day in a city they know so well. While these scenes may seem ordinary, they reflect the city’s “unstoppable energy and vibrancy.”Over the past decade, the dynamic spirit of Chiang Mai has been showcased through Chiang Mai Design Week (CMDW). More than just an annual design festival, CMDW has become a platform reflecting the lifestyles, creativity, and thinking of its people. Born from the belief that creativity can drive a city, the festival has grown from a small event in the Old City to an internationally recognized festival, attracting participants from Asia, Australia, and Europe, particularly in craft, design, music, and art sectors. Stepping into “The Next Chapter” is reflected in economic impact, with a total value of 5.7 billion THB generated over the past 10 years, alongside a steadily increasing number of both domestic and international participants each year.“The Next Chapter” not only signifies the continued growth and sustainable empowerment of all communities involved, but also represents a new direction — positioning CMDW as a platform to foster collaboration across Northern provinces and on the international stage.From a Decade of Ideas and Experiments to the Next Era of CollaborationMs. Imhathai Kunjina, Director of the CEA Northern Regional Office, stated that, “The first decade of CMDW has been a period of nurturing the seeds of creativity — allowing Chiang Mai to experiment, evolve, and grow. The festival has provided a platform for artists and creators to share their stories through art, supported by local communities and residents who generously opened their homes and neighborhoods for visitors to learn, explore, and co-create. It has also shown people of all ages that creativity holds real value, while inspiring many young talents to return to their hometown to pursue their passions.” “For the 11th edition, it is not only a celebration of past successes but a stepping stone for scaling local creativity and innovation toward stronger, sustainable growth. Since 2022, CMDW has followed a theme centered on the local essence: Local Rise’ation (2022), Transforming Local (2023), SCALING LOCAL (2024), and in 2025, Local Plus: Creativity, Technology, Sustainability. All these themes emphasize that local communities are ready to expand, create opportunities, and grow internationally.”“CMDW is more than just a design event; it serves as a key tool for city branding, positioning Chiang Mai as a city ‘Crafting Wellness from Local Essence, Inspiring Asia’ in the region. The festival drives this vision through three main goals: 1) Supporting the potential and networks of returning creatives (Homecoming) in collaboration with local and international creative communities; 2) Preserving sustainable local ways of living (Local Sustainable Living); and 3) Connecting Local Essence × Creativity × Technology to create new opportunities (New Opportunities), which are crucial for advancing the creative economy in Northern Thailand,” added Ms. Imhathai Kunjina.Local Plus: The Collaboration EquationCMDW2025 communicates the “Local Plus” theme through five symbols, each representing the role of different stakeholders in driving the city forward:Plus/Add (+): Uniting people, organizations, and international partners to strengthen Northern creativity.Multiply (×): Expanding local impact globally through collaboration with over 10 countries across Asia and Europe.Divide (÷): Sharing knowledge, inspiration, and creative innovations.Minus (-): Reducing limitations and environmental impact for sustainable growth.Infinity (∞): Unlimited growth for Chiang Mai as a city in constant evolution.“Local Plus” thus serves as a symbol of the equation of collaboration, reflecting the philosophy of developing a creative ecosystem powered by everyone. Whether as artists, designers, artisans, researchers, entrepreneurs, or representatives from the public and private sectors in Chiang Mai and the Northern region, each individual plays a vital role in driving the creative ecosystem forward,” Ms. Imhathai added.CMDW’s Next Chapter: From Local Roots to Global Inspiration CMDW’s Next Chapter will transform every district in the city into a unique opportunity for both community and urban development. Drawing from “local cultural roots,” the festival aims to “inspire” visitors from around the world while encouraging investment and engagement. Highlighting the richness of local crafts, materials, and traditional skills, the festival integrates holistic wellness, design, music, and Northern Thai cuisine to refresh and elevate the city’s image in line with evolving global trends. Data from Thailand’s creative industries indicate that cultural tourism generates the highest revenue, while the largest creative workforce is employed in advertising, followed by crafts and visual arts, and then design. This underscores Chiang Mai’s potential to leverage local creativity as both an economic and cultural driver on the international stage.Other noteworthy creative industries include music, which in 2025 is valued at approximately 1.8 billion THB, driven by the growth of streaming platforms and the expanding “Thai Music Wave” in international markets. Adjacent markets, such as the “fragrance industry,” have generated revenue of 391 million USD (approximately 12.6 billion THB) and are projected to reach an additional economic value of 491 million USD (around 15.9 billion THB) by 2028. Northern Thailand, in particular, holds significant potential to leverage local resources — such as diverse plants and by-products from the agricultural sector — to sustainably produce “fragrance” products. All of these developments underscore the festival’s approach as a key platform to enhance the visibility and recognition of Thailand’s creative industries and regional potential on the global stage.From Local Creativity to Global ElevationCMDW2025 spotlights the wellness industry through the concept of “Scents from Native Plants,” filling TCDC Chiang Mai with the unique aromas of the region. Highlights include the exhibition Make Scents, Make Sense, which explores “ scents” as a new cultural and economic asset of Thailand, and The Homecoming Club, featuring a Homecoming Speed Meeting that invites young artists and entrepreneurs to return home and inspire the local community.In addition, the festival continues to expand international collaborations, creating new opportunities with designers from around the world. Highlights include the International Design Showcases, a platform presenting works by global artists; the French exhibition “SEN,” which invites audiences to explore the concept of “lines” across multiple dimensions through a three-part artistic experience that deeply connects art and the body.The LABBfest.2025 international music and arts festival; and the ceramic exhibition CRAFTed of Taste: The Art of Eating, connecting Thailand and France. Further projects include the Yumeie Dream House Project by Thai and Japanese youth, and Fixing the Past, Making the Future by Studio Bora Hong from Seoul, South Korea, which opens a cross-cultural dialogue on the Cosmetic Surgery Kingdom concept and the creative use of resources in the context of sustainable local living.The festival is managed with a strong focus on sustainability. Existing pavilions and display structures from previous years are reused, while foam board signage has been replaced with recycled plastic materials. Printing is minimized, with reduced production volumes and limited sizes to cut down on waste. Additionally, within the POP Market, featuring over 140 craft brands, waste management practices are implemented and the use of single-use plastic containers is significantly reduced.All programs of CMDW2025 embody the belief that creativity is not confined to exhibition spaces — it can be found everywhere, from markets and cafés to the sounds of live music, and especially in the smiles of people coming together to bring each event to life. Through this collective energy, Chiang Mai continues to grow as a city of inspiration, thriving alongside its community.Join Chiang Mai in stepping into the Next Chapter at Chiang Mai Design Week 2025 (CMDW2025), 6 – 14 December 2025, across Klang Wiang, Chang Moi – Tha Phae, Sanpakoi, and throughout Chiang Mai.Follow for more details: Website: www.chiangmaidesignweek.com, Facebook: Chiang Mai Design Week, Instagram: Chiang Mai Design Week, TikTok: Chiang Mai Design Week#LocalPlus #ChiangMaiDesignWeek #CMDW2025 #เทศกาลงานออกแบบเชียงใหม่