Bangkok, 26 October 2026 - The Pokémon Company (headquartered in Minato-ku, Tokyo; CEO Tsunekazu Ishihara) today announced a series of special initiatives planned for Thailand in celebration of the Pokémon 30th Anniversary at a press conference held at centralwOrld in Bangkok. The announcement highlighted a range of upcoming events and experiences designed to bring the world of Pokémon closer to fans across Thailand.
As part of the anniversary celebrations, The Pokémon Company, in partnership with Central Pattana Public Company Limited (Central Pattana), will bring a series of special Pokémon experiences to Bangkok. The lineup will begin with the opening of Pokémon Center BANGKOK on 1 December 2026, followed by Pokémon RUN 30 on 9-10 January 2027 and PokéXciting! on 13-14 February 2027. Through these initiatives, Bangkok will become a hub of Pokémon activities, offering memorable experiences for both dedicated fans and newcomers alike.
Hosted by The Pokémon Company with the support of Central Pattana, the Pokémon 30th Anniversary Press Conference in Bangkok offered attendees an early look at the upcoming celebrations in Thailand, including a special Pikachu performance that provided a glimpse of the exciting experiences planned for the Pokémon 30th Anniversary. Further details of the announcements are outlined below:
Pokémon RUN 30: Thailand Edition
PokéXciting! in Bangkok
Pokémon GO Celebrates 30 Years of Pokémon with Regional In-game Experience
Pokémon 30th Anniversary Celebrations on Bangkok’s MRT
1. Pokémon RUN 30: Thailand Edition
Pokémon RUN is an interactive Fun Run experience that brings together Pokémon fans and runners in a themed adventure format. First held as the Pokémon RUN Carnival 2015 in Taiwan, the run is now making a comeback to more Asian countries, including Thailand, as part of the celebrations for Pokémon’s 30th anniversary.
Pokémon RUN 30: Thailand Edition will be held on 9-10 January 2027 at the outdoor plaza in front of centralwOrld. The event invites participants to embark on an immersive journey through the world of Pokémon in celebration of Pokémon’s past, present, and future.
Participants will begin their adventure by choosing their very first partner Pokémon. Along the immersive run course, Trainers will encounter themed challenges inspired by the Pokémon world, including Gym Battles, encountering wild Pokémon, opportunities to complete their Pokédex Search Sheet, and chances to evolve their partner Pokémon. Themed checkpoints and interactive elements throughout the course are designed to create a dynamic storytelling experience that brings the Pokémon journey to life.
Furthermore, a dedicated Festival Zone will be open to both participants and non-participants of the Pokémon RUN 30 with free admission. Visitors can journey through Pokémon's 30-year history at the Time Tunnel, explore immersive experience zones showcasing the latest Pokémon content, and catch Pikachu at the Meet & Greet.
At the Festival Zone, Pokémon pop-up store featuring special merchandise will be available for purchase. UNIQLO and 7-ELEVEN are slated to join the event as an official sponsor, offering special on-site experiences and activities for visitors. Registered participants will receive a special Pokémon RUN 30 Runner's Kit, including a UNIQLO-sponsored event T-shirt.
The special merchandise was showcased at the 30th Anniversary Press Conference in Bangkok, giving Thai media a first look at the Pokémon RUN 30 special merchandise.
2. PokéXciting! in Bangkok
To commemorate 30 years since the original Pokémon games, Pokémon Red and Pokémon Green video games launched in Japan in 1996 for the Game Boy platform, The Pokémon Company is launching PokéXciting!, a large-scale party-style celebration across five cities in Asia, including Kuala Lumpur, Taipei, Singapore, Manila, and Bangkok, bringing together entertainment, nostalgia, and interactive experiences across generations, making it one of the most ambitious Pokémon celebrations to date.
PokéXciting! in Bangkok will take place on 13-14 February 2027 at centralwOrld. The destination will be thoroughly transformed into a global party hub, hosting a wide range of exciting fan experiences.
Fans can look forward to a Pokémon Parade at centralwOrld, featuring a large gathering of Pikachu and other Pokémon. Besides that, they can also enjoy Pokémon stage shows, featuring special appearances by "PokéXciting! Pikachu"* who will be making its special debut appearance in Thailand.
Throughout the activation period, guests can meet their favourite Pokémon during special Meet and Greet sessions and purchase special PokéXciting! Merchandise that can only be found at centralwOrld. A variety of Pokémon-themed activities and delightful photo spots will also be available for visitors to enjoy.
"PokéXciting! Pikachu" is a unique Pikachu, bringing vibrant party vibes to every city! To enhance the excitement of PokéXciting!, "PokéXciting! Pikachu" will appear not only in Thailand but at events in each city. "PokéXciting! Pikachu" will feature a different color look unique to each city. For Thailand, it will debut in orange! A special PokéXciting!-related event will also take place in Pokémon GO, where "PokéXciting! Pikachu" will appear in the game.
The celebrations are designed to create memorable moments for both local visitors and international travellers, making centralwOrld a key destination for Pokémon fans during the anniversary festivities.
Mr. Susumu Fukunaga, Corporate Officer of The Pokémon Company, stated:
“Bangkok is an exciting place to celebrate 30 years of Pokémon, and we are delighted to work with our local partner, Central Pattana, to bring these special celebrations to fans across the city. From discovering Pokémon Center BANGKOK and experiencing PokéXciting! to taking part in Pokémon RUN 30, we hope fans of all ages will enjoy these experiences with their family and friends, make new memories, and celebrate this special milestone together with Pokémon.”
Dr. Nattakit Tangpoonsinthana, Chief Marketing Officer of Central Pattana Plc, stated:
“We are honored that The Pokémon Company has chosen centralwOrld as the destination for its 30th anniversary celebration, bringing an unprecedented Pokémon experience to Thailand. This is a special gift to fans across the country. For 30 years, Pokémon has connected generations of fans worldwide. Together, Central Pattana and Pokémon have created memorable experiences, including the successful Pokémon Takeover in 2023, which brought Pokémon-inspired joy to people across Thailand through Central shopping centers nationwide. This milestone celebration marks another chapter in our partnership, featuring Pokémon Center BANGKOK, Thailand’s first Pokémon Center, alongside Pokémon RUN, PokéXciting! and collaborations with leading brands. This partnership further reinforces centralwOrld’s position as a global lifestyle destination in the heart of Bangkok, where world-renowned brands and beloved characters come together to create experiences that resonate with audiences worldwide.”
3. Pokémon GO Celebrates 30 Years of Pokémon with Regional In-game Experience
Pokémon GO Trainers will also be able to enjoy an in-game event from 13-14 February 2027 in Bangkok, where they can catch Bangkok’s "PokéXciting! Pikachu (Orange)", as well as enjoy other special content such as Timed Research and GO Stamp Rally in Pokémon GO.
Trainers can also enjoy the first cross-region GO Stamp Rally. Launched on 12 September 2026, this event series invites you to join the fun at the official PokéXciting! Event venues across five iconic destinations in the Asia-Pacific region. The PokéXciting! Cross-region GO Stamp Rally consists of five stamps, which you can find in Kuala Lumpur, Taipei, Singapore, Manila and Bangkok. While this cross-region GO Stamp Rally is already available in other 4 regions, the stamp in Bangkok will become available in Pokémon GO starting from 13 February 2027. Explore each city and find the PokéXciting! PokéStop, each of which showcases a unique, region-exclusive "PokéXciting! Pikachu" stamp.
Collecting a stamp does more than mark your travel milestone, it also rewards you with an encounter with a "PokéXciting! Pikachu" featuring a local Location Background! Each city’s "PokéXciting! Pikachu" sports a unique costume color inspired by the city, making it the perfect souvenir from your travels.
4. Pokémon 30th Anniversary Celebrations on Bangkok’s MRT
As part of the Pokémon 30th Anniversary celebrations in Thailand, special Pokémon 30th Anniversary visuals will be displayed across selected MRT locations in Bangkok, bringing Pokémon to the city and celebrating 30 years of Pokémon.
The visuals will be starting in early January 2027, giving fans and commuters the opportunity to enjoy Pokémon as they travel across Bangkok by MRT.
Miss Thepnaree Sethasearee, Assistant Managing Director of Bangkok Expressway and Metro Public Company Limited (BEM), stated:
“The collaboration between BEM and the world-renowned Pokémon brand to celebrate Pokémon’s 30th anniversary, through a special event taking place from January to February 2027, marks a significant milestone in creating a unique experience for passengers and Pokémon fans in Thailand. By bringing the world of Pokémon into the MRT travel experience, we aim to transform an ordinary journey into an exciting adventure where everyone can have fun, explore, and discover the Pokémon world from a different perspective.
Further details of the activities will be gradually revealed toward the end of this year. We hope everyone will look forward to creating wonderful memories together with BEM and Pokémon through this special collaboration.”
Appendix: The Grand Opening of Pokémon Center BANGKOK on 1 December 2026
Pokémon Center BANGKOK will officially open at centralwOrld on 1 December 2026, bringing the world of Pokémon to Bangkok. With the largest floor area of any Pokémon Center outside Japan, the store will offer a wide range of merchandise, including Pokémon Trading Card Game products, plush toys and special edition items, while providing a place for fans, families and visitors of all ages to immerse themselves in all things Pokémon. As previously announced in September, Pikachu and Shaymin, featured in the store's logo, will welcome visitors at its vibrant, open entrance.
Further details on the product lineup and other updates regarding the opening will be shared in a press release from Pokémon Thailand later this week.
Please also visit the official website or follow Pokémon Thailand on social media for more information.
Official Website: https://th.portal-pokemon.com/shop/
Official Social Media: https://www.facebook.com/PokemonThailand/
Entry restrictions and purchase limits will be in place for a period of time following the opening. Visitors are strongly advised to check the official Pokémon Thailand Facebook page for admission details before their visit. Full details will be announced by early November.
Copyright Information
©Pokémon. ©Nintendo/Creatures Inc./GAME FREAK inc.
TM, ®, and character names are trademarks of Nintendo.
The Pokémon Company
The Pokémon Company was established to manage the Pokémon brand. Currently, the company develops and produces video games, which is where Pokémon originates, as well as trading card games, animated TV series and movies, merchandise, tie-up promotions, events, and the Pokémon Center, directly managed Pokémon shops.
What’s Pokémon?
Pokémon are fascinating creatures harboring a myriad of mysteries. Pokémon began with the Pokémon Red and Pokémon Green video games launched in Japan in 1996 for the Game Boy platform. Among the factors that have contributed to Pokémon’s success are the sheer enjoyment of capturing and raising Pokémon as a collection, and the opportunities Pokémon creates for communication through trading with other players or competing against them. Today, thanks to its amazing expansion into the realms of trading card games, TV anime, film, apps, merch and so much more, Pokémon is a name known and loved all around the world.
What’s Pokémon Center?
In the video game realm, Pokémon Center is a place where players can gather information they need for their adventures, or where battle-fatigued Pokémon can recover their strength. In the physical world, Pokémon Centers are official stores replicating their virtual counterpart. They offer a wide assortment of original products available nowhere else, and also provide services and experiences sure to please all Pokémon players and fans.
Pokémon 30th Anniversary Website
https://th.portal-pokemon.com/30th/
Pokémon 30th Anniversary Asia Celebration Hashtags
Please use the following hashtags for related social media posts:
#PokemonAsia30
#PokemonRUN30
Central Pattana
Central Pattana Plc., is driving future growth under its brand purpose, “Imagining better futures for all,” playing a key role in advancing Thailand’s economy, tourism industry, urban development, and quality of life through its Retail-Led Mixed-Use Development model and “A Future-Led Ecosystem” vision. The company continues to develop landmark destinations and large-scale projects across Bangkok and high-potential cities nationwide, while building an interconnected ecosystem that links people, communities, and businesses to strengthen Thailand’s long-term competitiveness.