by Joachim Fischer, Bangkok

The Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau ( TCEB) is asking the Government to double  their budget in this year to 1,6 billion Bath ( 4 Million Euro), mainly to support the Rotary International Convention and the plans to bid to host the World Expo 2020 in Thailand. The World Expo should be build on an area close to Bangkok. If Thailand will win this global Event this would be a very hot chance for the whole Tourism-Industry in the country.

The two events, Rotary Convention and World Expo ( just the bidding) will cost around 1,8 Million Euro, the rest of another 4 Million Euro will be spent bei TCEB on operational management, marketing and other promotional plans.The President of TCEB Mr. Akapol Sorasuchart  said the 2012 Rotary  International Convention will bring 30.000 premium delegates to the country.” We think it is worthwile, as the events would bring huge revenue to Thailand. We forecast that MICE Visitors will reach830.000 and generating a revenue of 1,5 Billion Euro in 2012, he said.

The private sector and TCEB are working close together on this future plans and to build the confidence of international visitors under the Campaign “ Believe in Thailand”. In preparation of the full implementation of the ASEAN Economic Community in 2015, the TCEB plans also to launch the “ Bangkok: The Exhibition City of ASEAN” campaign and the Asean Business Forum.

Besides this the TCEB Bureau is wirking on a intelligence centre and  MICE Education wwhich are important projects because database and education are the foundation of development, Mr. Akapol said.

The Hotel Association of Thailands president Prakit Chinamourphong is underlining: “ It was good that the private sector had had an opportunity to share comments on MICE business plans with the TCEB. “It allows the private sector to tell authorities their real problems.”

TCEB will ask the Government about the double on budget this week