BANGKOK — The iconic music event Eurovision is set to host its inaugural Asian edition in Bangkok later this year.

The Eurovision Song Contest Asia 2026 has confirmed participation from artists representing at least 10 countries across Asia, including Thailand, South Korea, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Cambodia, Laos, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Bhutan.

Additional countries are expected to join ahead of the finale scheduled for November.

"As we celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Eurovision Song Contest, it feels particularly significant to begin this new chapter in Asia, a region abundant in culture, creativity, and talent," stated Martin Green, the contest director, in an announcement on Tuesday (March 31).

Bangkok is deemed an ideal host city for the contest as it "has always been a place where cultures converge, music fills the atmosphere, and where celebration is an everyday occurrence," remarked Chuwit Sirivajjakul, a representative from the Thailand Tourism Authority.

The main gala, organized by the European Broadcasting Union, attracts over 100 million viewers annually.

This year's main competition, featuring 35 participating countries, is set to take place in Vienna in May.

Countries including Iceland, Ireland, the Netherlands, Slovenia, and Spain are boycotting the event due to disagreements surrounding Israel's involvement.

While the contest aims to prioritize pop music over politics, it has often found itself at the center of global events.

Russia was expelled in 2022 following its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

The ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza has also led to protests outside venues and prompted organizers to restrict political expressions during the event.

Similar tensions may arise in Asia, especially given the deadly border skirmishes between Thailand and Cambodia that occurred twice last year.