Phuket Governor Nirat Phongsitthaworn chaired a multi-agency meeting at Phuket Provincial Hall to coordinate preparations for the three-day music festival, scheduled for Jan 16-18.
The session brought together provincial officials, police, private-sector representatives and local administrative organisations to finalise operational plans for what is being promoted as a world-class entertainment event.
The meeting reviewed the overall event layout at Rhythm Park on the Baan Don Road, including transport logistics. Six island-wide pick-up and drop-off points will be established to disperse traffic flow and reduce congestion, while queuing systems and shuttle bus services are to be streamlined to cope with peak demand.
Officials also discussed efforts to increase community participation, including collaboration with Phuket-based artists for installation works, opening spaces for local entrepreneurs, and ensuring coordinated messaging through local media. Traffic routes, diversions and access maps will be released before the event to help motorists avoid congestion hotspots, said an official report of the meeting.
Environmental and community impacts were also a key focus. Agencies reviewed noise-control requirements, restroom and waste-management planning, and the preparation of economic and social impact assessments. Governor Nirat urged organisers to conduct systematic evaluations so the province can improve its hosting capacity for future large-scale events.
Hosting EDC Thailand 2026, he said, presents an important opportunity to distribute economic benefits across the tourism and service sectors. He called on all agencies to “carefully consider operational details” to ensure high standards, maximise revenue for the province, and uphold the event’s international reputation.
EDC Thailand 2025, held in January this year, saw more than 250 police officers deployed, backed by some 300 private security personnel. A total of 102 traffic police, 60 regular officers and two companies of crowd-control police were assigned to manage traffic and security, supported by Tourist Police, Immigration and even an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team.
The previous edition, held at the Boat Lagoon Lakefront area in Cherng Talay, was also marked by the deaths of two foreign tourists ‒ a 32-year-old American and a 28-year-old Canadian.
The men died in separate incidents after reportedly collapsing and losing consciousness. Both were treated by on-site medical teams and transported to Thalang Hospital, where they were pronounced dead. Cherng Talay Police did not provide any public explanation for the two deaths.