Media OutReach
Isan Creative Festival 2025 Transforms Regional Pride into Economic Power
Get Ready for Unmissable Program Highlights!
BANGKOK, THAILAND – Media OutReach Newswire – 3 July 2025 – In an era where creativity is the driving force behind economic and social development, the presence of a regional creative festival in Isan — the Northeast region of Thailand — is more essential than ever. It goes beyond art, culture, and innovation; it serves as a vital platform that inspires Isan natives who have moved to larger cities to return home, applying their potential, knowledge, and experience to uplift their hometowns.
Isan Creative Festival 2025 (ISANCF2025) — now in its fifth year — is organized by the Creative Economy Agency (Public Organization), or CEA. The festival opens its doors to those ready to reshape Isan, offering a space for idea exchange, thought-provoking dialogue, and real-world implementation of bold projects across art, music, film, design, technology, crafts, food, community, and business.
This year’s theme, “ISAN SOUL PROUD,” celebrates the region’s cultural identity and will run for nine days, from 28 June to 6 July 2025 in Khon Kaen. The festival embodies the spirit of local pride and supports sustainable urban development by unlocking the full potential of the people of Isan.
Why Must the Isan Festival Be Creative?: Igniting Nationwide Inspiration
ISANCF2025 is not just a showcase of creativity — it’s a launchpad for creative business opportunities and a thriving ecosystem of innovation. It encourages Isan natives and creatives across Thailand to return, reimagine, and revitalize their hometowns. It also aims to redefine perceptions of Isan by showcasing pride in the region’s identity — not as a place in need, but rather a creative stage of the future, rich with potential and poised to become a vibrant hub of economic opportunity, culture, and creativity.
This year’s festival highlights the richness of the Isan region across its natural resources, way of life, culinary heritage, and traditional culture. These unique identities are being reimagined and communicated in new ways, giving rise to “creative businesses” that generate local income and inspire a new generation to return home and redefine Isan’s image.
Three Creative Industries × Must-See Programs in ISANCF2025
The festival spotlights three key creative industries: Food, Entertainment & Content, and Craft, Art & Design, with curated programs that turn culture into opportunity.
1) Food Industry: From ‘Larb, Koi, and Pla Ra’ to a Bold Culinary Economy
Isan food is more than just flavor — it is a heritage and wisdom passed down through generations. This year’s festival invites everyone to experience:
- Larb Koi Universe: An exhibition showcasing two iconic Isan dishes, Larb’ and ‘Koi,’ as cultural DNA reflecting the essence of Isan people. It also explores fusion food trends, branding opportunities, and new food cultures.
- NEXT STATION ‘Pla Ra’: An interactive talk exploring ‘Pla Ra’ (traditional Thai fermented fish) not merely as food, but as a cultural symbol and economic asset. The session will pave the way for the establishment of a ‘Pla Ra Institute’ and showcase dishes that highlight Isan’s soft power.
- Creative Wisdom Talk: A thought-leadership seminar designed to empower creative entrepreneurs with business insights. This activity equips creative entrepreneurs with strategies for success, featuring topics like “Michelin-Starred Business for Isan Cuisine” by Nay-Witchupol Charoensupaya from NAWA (a 1-Michelin Star restaurant) and “Customer-Centric Mindset” by Jo-Thana Thienachariya, Dean of H.O.W., among others
2) Entertainment & Content Industry: The Energetic and Joyful Stage
The sounds of the khaen, morlam, and local music will revive traditional Isan music with fresh vigor to empower regional music creators:
- ISAN Music Talent: A vibrant intergenerational stage that brings together both seasoned and up-and-coming Isan musicians. This platform offers opportunities for emerging artists to showcase their talent and connect with broader audiences throughout the festival.
- Local Voice Panel (Hosted by Thai PBS): An authentic platform that reflects the voices of the local communities, this panel delves into the future of local music businesses and community-based music commerce. It will also explore the evolving landscape of homegrown music distribution and the sustainable growth of Isan’s musical ecosystem.
- ISAN Cinema House: A creative initiative transforms communities into “film knowledge incubation centers,” to support the work of Isan filmmakers and directors through the “Doc Club & Pub” Isan model. It focuses on building a film community and nurturing the film industry in Isan.
- Content Lab 2025: Newcomers: A career-oriented session featuring insights from Thai Film and Series industry invites filmmakers and those interested in behind-the-scenes work to exchange perspectives on the industry, such as Pimpaka Towira (producer, film director, international film festival organizer), Aticha Tanthanawigrai (film director and screenwriter), and Pairach Khumwan (film and advertising director), etc.
3) Craft, Art & Design Industry: Where Craftsmanship Defines Style and Identity Drives Brands
- ‘Back to Isan!’ Pavilion [The Answer for Homecomers Is Here]: This exhibition compiles stories of Isan homecomers who are building their futures through branding, creative studios, social initiatives, and small businesses rooted in cultural capital. This showcases how coming home can be a forward-thinking strategy for urban and regional development.
- ISAN MU-NIVERSE: An exhibition reimagines Isan crafts in a new context linking ‘mutelu’ (belief in superstition) with contemporary design. It harnesses the skills of over 300,000 artisans and a vast community network to position crafts within the mutelu market as a new economic driver.
- ‘ISAN SOUL PROUD’ Fashion Show: This runway event brings together top Isan designers and AI technology to present a unique fashion experience that blends tradition with innovation, offering a fresh perspective on regional design.
- ISAN Showcase: Explore a curated selection of distinctive handicrafts, artworks, and design pieces from 30 talented creatives. This showcase highlights the potential in Isan’s craft sector and equips local entrepreneurs stepping into the creative economy. As part of its broader mission, selected participants will have the opportunity to join the ISAN MICE Expo 2025 — an international trade exhibition that serves as a gateway to expanded business opportunities and greater market exposure.
- ISANCF x KUPPER ART FES 2025: Under the theme “Sky Limitless,” this dynamic art platform invites audiences to discover the depth and diversity of Isan through a wide range of artistic expressions.
- Creative Market (D-KAK Market): A vibrant marketplace featuring creative talents, artists, and local entrepreneurs. The market is divided into two zones: D-KAK D-Craft, which showcases handcrafted products by local makers and community enterprises, and the Creative Food Market, a culinary hotspot offering regional delicacies. Designed to foster business connections, idea exchange, and new partnerships.
In addition, ISANCF2025 will host the ISAN Creativity and Innovation Summit 2025 — the first international academic forum dedicated to advancing design and innovation in the region. Organized by Khon Kaen University, the Mekong Institute (MI), and the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB), the summit will take place on 5 – 6 July 2025, at Khon Kaen University Science Park.
Showcasing Opportunities from Isan’s Regional Potential
ISANCF2025 also shines a spotlight on the spatial and cultural potential of Isan across provincial, urban, district, and community levels. The festival underscores Isan’s appeal as a region abundant in lifestyle, investment opportunity, tourism value, and multi-dimensional promise. Four key venues in Khon Kaen have been selected to vividly represent “Isan Style” through the creative lens of local visionaries:
- TCDC Khon Kaen (Kangsadan District) – A dynamic hub for emerging thinkers and creators, serving as an incubator for ideas and a testbed for creative economy and future lifestyle innovations.
- Pullman Khon Kaen Hotel – A regional center for conferences, seminars, and cultural festivals in this MICE City, driving significant economic impact across the city.
- Columbo Creative District – A vibrant craft village where daily life and creativity intertwine. With over 20 various studios, this area is being transformed into a model creative district powered by collective creativity.
- Sawathi Community – Proudly upholding traditional Isan ways of life, passed down through generations. At its heart is Wat Chai Sri, home to over 100-year-old mural paintings, or ‘Hoop Taem Sinsai.’ This community leverages its cultural capital, lifestyle, and local wisdom to develop learning centers, arts, and traditions, creating new opportunities for the community and accommodating tourists, evolving into the ‘Sawathi Creative Cultural Community Model.’
ISANCF2025 is poised to elevate regional pride and reaffirm Isan’s readiness to become a true “City of Opportunity.” The festival aims to attract the next generations and bolster confidence in the region’s potential on both national and international stages. Join the “ISAN SOUL PROUD” movement and help shape the future through every dimension of culture while supporting the region’s growing business expansion. With more than 200 diverse activities across seven types of programs — Creative Academic Program, Creative Business Platform, Showcase & Exhibition, Talk & Workshop, Event & Entertainment Program, D-KAK Market, and Creative District Project from 28 June to 6 July 2025, in Khon Kaen. ISANCF2025 is proudly set to inspire cultural pride and drive creativity across the region.
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About the Isan Creative Festival
Isan Creative Festival (ISANCF) was first launched in 2019 by the Creative Economy Agency (Public Organization), or CEA, in collaboration with networks of designers, artists, entrepreneurs, and civil society from across the Isan region. The festival aims to provide a platform for the people of Isan to showcase their creative potential through art, design, music, food, technology, and community-based initiatives, while driving regional urban development through culture. By bridging cultural heritage with the new economy, the festival transforms local wisdom into a sustainable creative economy platform. It has since become one of the region’s leading creative festivals with strong ties to international networks such as World Design Weeks and the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN), supporting the vision of positioning Khon Kaen as a globally recognized Creative City.
About the Creative Economy Agency (Public Organization), or CEA
The Creative Economy Agency (Public Organization), or CEA, was established on August 14, 2018, through the elevation of the Thailand Creative & Design Center (TCDC) into a public organization under the supervision of the Prime Minister’s Office. CEA is tasked with promoting and enhancing the potential of Thailand’s creative economy as a driving force for balanced and sustainable economic development in the long term. One of CEA’s core missions is to develop Creative Districts — areas that foster innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurship. The agency supports the transformation of local areas into vibrant ecosystems for creative business while strengthening their connection with surrounding communities. CEA also plays a key role in growing the creative industries by building capacity and linking networks, empowering creativity as a tool for business growth and improving the quality of life for Thai people. The Isan Creative Festival is organized by CEA, Khon Kaen Office.
Media OutReach
FikaGO Debuts in SoHo, Blending Pet Stroller with Modern Lifestyle Design
The Taiwan-born pet mobility brand opens its first SoHo pop-up inside Flying Solo, bringing its Nordic-designed pet stroller collection to the heart of New York City.
NEW YORK, USA – Media OutReach Newswire – 02 April 2026 – FikaGO, the design-led pet mobility brand recognized across Asia and Europe, has opened its first New York City pop-up store inside Flying Solo in SoHo. The opening marks a deliberate move for a pet brand into one of the world’s most competitive retail districts.
Since entering the online American market in 2025, FikaGO has built a growing community of pet parents who see their animals as a central part of everyday life. Positioned as lifestyle essentials rather than conventional pet gear, FikaGO’s range of products is designed for people who want the best for their fur babies.
“We’ve always believed that pet products should not only be functional, but also beautifully integrated into everyday life.” — Eric Guu, Co-founder, FikaGO
SoHo was a considered choice: Flying Solo, with locations in New York and Paris, is known for championing independent design with a distinctly global sensibility.
The pop-up showcases FikaGO’s auto-folding Free To Go 2 in Sandy Beige, the brand’s bestselling product. All FikaGO’s products are manufactured using eco-friendly fabrics made from recycled materials, reflecting a commitment to sustainability. This includes their large-capacity Agile 2 pet strollers to their airline-approved Truffle carriers and the heavy-duty Kross pet wagon.
“Launching in SoHo is a meaningful milestone for us; it allows customers to truly experience the quality, design, and intention behind every FikaGO product.” — Eric Guu, Co-founder, FikaGO
As pet ownership rises globally, particularly among urban millennials and Gen Zs, demand for products that combine functionality, design, and lifestyle integration continues to grow. FikaGO was built for precisely this moment, and SoHo is precisely where that moment lives.
Visit the FikaGO pop-up at Flying Solo, 419 Broome Street, New York, or explore the full collection at https://us.fikago.com/.
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About FikaGO
FikaGO is a pet mobility brand founded in Taiwan, dedicated to crafting products that blend functionality, comfort, and modern aesthetics. With a presence across Asia and growing reach in Europe and the U.S, FikaGO is redefining everyday experiences between pets and their humans.
Media OutReach
Lee Kum Kee Celebrates Culinary Excellence at the Historic Hong Kong Debut of Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2026
From 23-25 March, Lee Kum Kee brought together top chefs, diverse cultures and industry communities through a range of thoughtfully curated experiences, bringing authentic Asian flavours to the global stage. As well as reaffirming the brand’s Asian roots and international perspective, its involvement reflected an enduring commitment to preserving culinary heritage and driving gastronomic innovation.
“Asian Flavour Duet“: A Culinary Journey Through Heritage and Innovation
Helping to build momentums for this year’s awards, Lee Kum Kee collaborated with Vicky Cheng, the acclaimed Executive Chef and owner of WING, to co-create the “Asian Flavour Duet”, a Hong Kong-style late-night supper party on 24 March. Hosted at two Hong Kong culinary landmarks, the experience unfolded in two chapters – “Paying Tribute to Heritage” and “Innovative Fusion” – and invited guests to explore the limitless possibilities of Asian flavour.
The evening began at the century-old Lin Heung Lau teahouse, a space filled with nostalgia and memories for generations of Hong Kongers. Chef Vicky reinterpreted classic Hong Kong late-night dishes using signature Lee Kum Kee sauces, while guests were immersed in the warmth of the historic venue.

The celebration then moved to Medora, Chef Vicky’s Western dining space, where an “Innovative Fusion” was revealed. He showcased his modern culinary philosophy by incorporating Lee Kum Kee sauces with contemporary techniques to create bold, unexpected dishes. Guests also enjoyed specially crafted cocktails infused with Lee Kum Kee sauces, alongside a delightful yet refined sauce-inspired gelato, demonstrating a harmonious interweaving of savoury, umami, sweetness and spice.
The multisensory journey seamlessly blended tradition with innovation, exploring the future of cuisine while highlighting Lee Kum Kee’s role as a global gateway to Asian culinary culture.
At the event, Dodie Hung, Executive Vice President – Corporate Affairs at Lee Kum Kee, commented, “Tonight, we are honoured to celebrate Hong Kong’s late‑night food culture with Chef Vicky and the global culinary community. From the legacy of Lin Heung Lau to the forward‑looking spirit of Medora, we are proud to be part of the creative journey and help showcase the depth of Asian flavours on the world stage.”
Celebrating a Gastronomic Brilliance with the Highest Climber Award Sponsored by Lee Kum Kee
During the awards ceremony on 25 March, Lee Kum Kee’s booth showcased a range of the brand’s acclaimed classic sauces and innovative products. Guests sampled specially crafted bites featuring Lee Kum Kee sauces, engaging directly with the flavours and techniques that have made the brand a trusted partner in both home and professional kitchens worldwide.

As part of the evening’s celebration of the region’s most exceptional culinary talents, the Highest Climber Award sponsored by Lee Kum Kee was presented to Lamdre in Beijing by Chef Park from Atomix (No.1 in North America’s 50 Best Restaurants 2025). Lambre was applauded for its pioneering plant-based dining space that promotes healthy, sustainable living while honouring Chinese biodiversity in its menus.

In addition, WING, led by Chef Vicky, achieved an impressive second place in 2026 Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants list. The restaurant had also previously ranked No. 11 on The World’s 50 Best Restaurants list in 2025, underscoring its continued international acclaim.
Building the Future Together: Deepening Global Partnerships
With the success of this prestigious awards ceremony in Hong Kong, China, Lee Kum Kee looks forward to deepening its collaboration with leading talents in the global culinary community. By continuing to champion Asian flavours and foster meaningful dialogue and exchange, the brand will continue to bring the spirit of Asian cuisine to kitchens and dining tables around the world.
Hashtag: #LeeKumKee #LKK
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About Lee Kum Kee
Lee Kum Kee is the global gateway to Asian culinary culture, dedicated to promoting Chinese culinary culture worldwide. Since 1888, it has brought people together over joyful reunions, shared traditions and memorable meals. Beloved by consumers and chefs alike, Lee Kum Kee’s range of more than 300 sauces and condiments sparks creativity in kitchens everywhere, inspiring professional and home chefs to experiment, create and delight. Headquartered in Hong Kong, China and serving over 100 countries and regions, Lee Kum Kee’s rich heritage, unwavering commitment to quality, sustainable practices and “Constant Entrepreneurship” combine to enable superior experiences through Asian cuisine for people worldwide. For more information, please visit www.LKK.com.
About Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants
Launched in 2013, Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants aims to showcase the outstanding achievements and diverse culinary landscape of the region. The list is determined by the Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants Academy, a panel of over 350 culinary experts from across Asia who vote independently based on their specialised knowledge of the local dining scene. The Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants series includes the awards ceremony and list announcement, creating a premier networking platform for restaurateurs, media, seasoned travelers and culinary connoisseurs to celebrate the exceptional service, passion and talent in the dining industry.
Media OutReach
DHL Express appoints new commercial lead for Asia Pacific
- Herbert Vongpusanachai takes on the role of Senior Vice President for Commercial for the region, effective April 1, 2026
SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 2 April 2026 – DHL Express, the world’s leading international express service provider, has appointed Herbert Vongpusanachai as Senior Vice President, Commercial for Asia Pacific, effective April 1, 2026. Herbert, who currently serves as Managing Director for DHL Express Thailand & Indochina, will be based in Singapore for his new role.
Herbert brings more than two decades of leadership experience within DHL Express, having successfully helmed multiple key markets across the region. He first joined the company in 2003 as Managing Director for Thailand & Indochina, later taking on leadership of Singapore in 2008, followed by Hong Kong & Macau in 2016. Since returning to lead Thailand & Indochina in 2020, he has driven sustained year‑on‑year profitable growth, transforming the cluster into one of the region’s key engines of expansion.
“Herbert has an exceptional track record of delivering strong business results while nurturing highly engaged teams across diverse markets. His deep understanding of our customers, collaborative leadership style, and ability to unearth opportunities in complex environments make him the ideal leader to drive our commercial agenda for Asia Pacific. I am confident that under his guidance, we will continue to accelerate sustainable growth across the region,” said Ken Lee, CEO for Asia Pacific, DHL Express.
In his new regional role, Herbert will shape and accelerate the commercial strategy for DHL Express across Asia Pacific by working with other functions to assess new sectors, routes and trade lanes with high potential for growth. He will focus on deepening customer engagement and supporting their expansion, while driving sustainable volume growth and advancing the adoption of new technologies to enhance commercial execution across markets. With his extensive country expertise and people‑first leadership style, Herbert is well‑positioned to support both regional and country teams in raising commercial performance to new levels.
“Asia Pacific remains an important anchor in global trade as seen in the latest DHL Global Connectedness Report, and this indicates the unwavering role of logistics to facilitate the flow of goods. With the newly introduced Heavyweight Express solution, which enables customers to ship heavyweight shipments with speed, certainty and reliability, I look forward to working alongside our talented teams to contribute to shaping the next chapter of DHL Express’s commercial success,” said Herbert Vongpusanachai, Senior Vice President – Commercial for Asia Pacific, DHL Express.
The latest DHL Global Connectedness Report shows that the region remains a major anchor of global commerce, with multiple economies rising in global connectedness rankings and Southeast Asia firmly establishing itself as a fast‑growing trade corridor. This also mirrors one of DHL Group’s strategies to better support 20 markets globally to accelerate growth; eight of them rest in Asia Pacific – underscoring the region’s critical role in DHL’s global network. As trade flows diversify and intra‑Asia integration deepens, this leadership appointment further strengthens DHL Express’s position in Asia Pacific.
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DHL – The logistics company for the world
DHL is the leading global brand in the logistics industry. Our DHL divisions offer an unrivalled portfolio of logistics services ranging from national and international parcel delivery, e-commerce shipping and fulfillment solutions, international express, road, air and ocean transport to industrial supply chain management. With approximately 389,000 employees in more than 220 countries and territories worldwide, DHL connects people and businesses securely and reliably, enabling global sustainable trade flows. With specialized solutions for growth markets and industries including technology, life sciences and healthcare, engineering, manufacturing & energy, auto-mobility and retail, DHL is decisively positioned as “The logistics company for the world”.
DHL is part of DHL Group. The Group generated revenues of approximately 82.9 billion euros in 2025. With sustainable business practices and a commitment to society and the environment, the Group makes a positive contribution to the world. DHL Group aims to achieve net-zero emissions logistics by 2050.
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