Padang Besar Festival aims to be new border tourism draw

The Padang Besar Festival 2026 is poised to become a new attraction for border tourism, with an estimated 30,000 visitors expected over its two-day run. The inaugural event, held on Padang Besar Street, aims to invigorate the local economy and showcase the unique appeal of the border town.

Organized by the Putra Trail Running Club in collaboration with Padang Besar Street, the festival offers a diverse range of activities. Attendees can enjoy traditional and folk games, vibrant cultural performances, and a special night run. The event also features a performance by the renowned rock band XPDC on August 8th, adding to the festive atmosphere.

Datuk Haslina Abd. Hamid, Secretary-General of the Ministry of National Unity, officially opened the festival. A highlight of the event is the 22-kilometer Padang Besar Night Run, which commenced on August 7th and involved nearly 1,000 participants traversing through Padang Besar town, Chuping Valley, Felda Rimba Emas, and Kampung Kok Mak.

Ku Hasrin Ku Abdul Rahman, Director of the Padang Besar Festival, stated that the event was conceived to elevate Padang Besar as a distinctive border tourism destination. He emphasized that the festival serves as a platform to preserve cultural heritage, promote healthy lifestyles, and foster cross-border engagement between Malaysia and Thailand.