With confidence in Thailand’s capability to host the World Expo 2020, the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) debuts its newly launched project: ‘World Expo 2020: Believe in Thailand’. TCEB aims to enhance public awareness, support and participation in the bidding for the World Expo 2020. In cooperation with Bangkok Metropolitan Authority, Siam Paragon, Siam Center and Siam Discovery, TCEB is releasing the ‘World Expo Troop’ in six key business districts, highlighting ‘Bangkok…the Gateway to World Expo 2020 Ayutthaya’ as part of the campaign.

All are welcomed to join the event during 2-4 September 2011 at ‘Parc Paragon’ in front of the Siam Paragon Shopping Center. Learn about Thailand and Thailand’s long history with the World Expo, join fun activities for all ages and get the chance to win many exciting prizes during the event. TCEB is confident this will spark public interest, foster cooperation and unite Thai people in supporting the bid to host World Expo 2020.
Speaking at the press conference, Mr. Akapol Sorasuchart, the President of the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau, disclosed that “Following the official submission of the bid for World Expo 2020 Ayutthaya, TCEB is preparing to raise public awareness and understanding nationwide and also to unite all Thai people as the hosts of the event in Ayutthaya, which will carry the theme ‘Redefine Globalisation: Balanced Life, Sustainable Living’.
“In regards to recent developments concerning the logo competition which formed part of our campaign, the panel of judges met on 10 August 2011 and unanimously agreed that the winning submission by Mr Suparb Ruangsane bore too many similarities to other trademarked logos already in use overseas. Since this could lead to misunderstandings that might adversely affect Thailand’s image and reputation, it was agreed that the winning logo would be disqualified and therefore to revoke the rights of the winner (Mr Suparb Ruangsane), including both the prize money and plaque. At the same time, the judging panel also resolved to award the first prize to the first runner up, Ms Pawita Srisuwan, including the full prize money and the winning plaque. The judges further resolved that the new logo should be developed to tailor it fully to the campaign’s concept.”
Mr Akapol added, “TCEB acted immediately after this resolution, working closely with the winner to develop the logo to fit the event and campaign theme. I am pleased to say that this has now been completed; the logo has been finalized and is now ready for use in our campaign. The logo is based on the symbol of Ayutthaya Province, the Thai Silver Barb Fish (Pla Tapien), melded with a classical Thai motif. The globe design symbolizes global unity and also hints at the grand scale of the World Expo event. These four key elements are elegantly blended in this simple but powerful logo.”
TCEB has now launched the ‘World Expo 2020: Believe in Thailand’ publicity campaign to increase public awareness at national level, and foster a sense of unity of purpose amongst Thai people to show the country’s full commitment to hosting the event. This event is nothing like other events as the hosts of the World Expo is not the government but the citizens of the country themselves.

The campaign aims to deepen public understanding of the benefits that World Expo 2020 will bring to the country and its people. TCEB has joined together with the Bangkok Metropolitan Authority, Siam Paragon, Siam Center and Siam Discovery to organize campaign activities under the theme ‘Bangkok…Gateway to World Expo 2020 Ayutthaya’. The campaign will start with a “World Expo Troop” covering six key business districts in eight days. The troop will be led by ‘Nong Tai’, who will serve as Thailand’s ‘World Expo Ambassador’ and host the campaign’s many activities, before the official launch of the ‘World Expo 2020- Believe in Thailand’ exhibition at the Parc Paragon, in front of the Siam Paragon Shopping Center, on 2-4 September.
“The campaign will start with the ‘World Expo 2020: Believe in Thailand’ troop, which will begin at Siam Square, before moving to the other key business districts: Victory Monument, Pratunam, Siam Paragon and Chatuchak Market. From 19-21 August, 27-28 August 2011, and 2-4 September, the troop will be seen around this area, taking with it the message ‘I Want Expo’. We want all Thais to understand and recognize the importance of working together to help the country win the right to host this event.
“As part of the World Expo Troop, onlookers will be invited to participate in the official launch of the ‘World Expo 2020: Believe in Thailand’ event from 2-4 September at Parc Paragon, and also to write their own personal messages of support for Thailand’s bid. All the messages will be displayed at the exhibition to highlight the unity of Thai people in supporting the event. The troop will give the public a chance to learn about Thailand and the history and origins of the World Expo. ‘Kinaree’ or ‘Nong Naree’ will serve as the Thailand’s bidding mascot and will be unveiled at the Parc Paragon event. The public will be able to join in the fun and excitement of the activities, and also have a chance to win some of the many prizes on offer.”
Mr. Akapol concluded, “We expect over 200,000 people to join this campaign directly, and that its message will reach over 3 million around the country through the media. We’re therefore confident of the success of the campaign in uniting Thai people with a common voice in support of the bid.”
In order to leverage the campaign’s impact, TCEB will also join the forthcoming BOI Fair 2011 ‘Going Green for the Future’ from 10-25 November 2011. The event will feature a World Expo 2020 Pavilion covering 2,000m2, which will showcase Ayutthaya’s cultural and design influences in the form of a ‘Sala Thai Klang Nam’ – a pavilion surrounded by water. The pavilion will provide information on Thailand’s bid to host the World Expo 2020, including a spectacular ‘special effects’, 4D Mapping night show throughout the event. In addition, TCEB has extended an invitation to Mr Vicente González Loscertales, President of the Bureau of International Expositions (BIE), whose opinions have an influence on the winner of the bid, to join the CEO Forum and BOI Fair 2011. The programme of Mr Loscertales will begin on 9 November when he will join an evening welcome reception and deliver a special dinner talk on the topic: “Investment, Innovation and Economic Impact from the World Expo” to high-level executives joining the CEO Forum. The Forum’s participants will include CEOs from major organizations and members of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, the Federation of Thai Industries and publicly listed companies.
After officially opening the Thailand World Expo Pavilion, on 10 November 2011, TCEB will accompany Mr. Loscertales on a visit to Ayutthaya, where he will have the opportunity to experience Thailand’s Loi Kratong cultural festival for himself. The visit will also demonstrate the readiness and support of the people of Ayutthaya as hosts for the World Expo 2020. As part of his visit, Mr Loscertales will also pay courtesy visits to members of the new government.