THAILAND Convention & Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) president, Akapol Sorasuchart, is leaving after nearly two-and-a-half-years in the role, as TTG Asia and the Bangkok Post reported:
Akapol did not cite reasons when tendering his resignation on February 29. However, the local media had widely reported on his struggle against a plan by Thailand’s Ministry of Tourism & Sport to take control of TCEB, which is currently under the Prime Minister’s Office.
TCEB’s 80 million baht (US$2.6 million) to 100 million baht annual budget was also reportedly cut by 20 million baht during last year’s flood crisis, before being scrapped altogether.

Akapol’s resignation is a blight on Thailand’s bid to host the World Expo 2020 in Ayutthaya.
In interviews with the local media, Akapol admitted that his biggest concern was “the continuation of our work, especially the World Expo, as bids will be tendered in June 2013”.
Officials from the Bureau International des Expositions are scheduled to visit Thailand early next year to ascertain the destination’s readiness to host the expo.
Akapol Sorasuchart, president of the Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (TCEB), tendered his resignation yesterday amid mounting political pressure. Akapol: Hopes World Expo bid is intact
Although he did not address the matter in his resignation letter, Mr Akapol became a party punching bag after he heavily criticised the unclear plan of the Chiang Mai International Convention and Exhibition Center.
The center’s plan is managed by the Ministry of Tourism & Sport, which is controlled by the Chart Thai Pattana Party, which also wants to take control of the TCEB. At present TCEB is under the Prime Minister’s Office.
A source in the industry said the relationship between Mr Akapol and the party soured after the ministry showed its enthusiasm in supervising the agency, which has an 800 million baht annual budget to promote Mice business.
“I don’t want to be a problem to the bureau. If I am the target of this game, I’m willing to hold back and let the agency and its plans move forward smoothly,” said Mr Akapol.
“My biggest concern is the continuation of our work, especially the World Expo as bids will be tendered in June 2013,” he said.
Thailand is likely to enjoy support from many countries, and China has already endorsed it, he added.
“Brazil is the favourite, and Dubai has a financial advantage, but the World Expo requires a lot of labour and tourist destinations,” said Mr Akapol. “Dubai’s population is too small for the expo, so Thailand has the advantage in this respect.”
“I worked hard and am so tired. I may take a break for a while. At TCEB, I thought I distanced myself from politics, but I realise I didn’t go far enough. I have no idea about my next job.”
Mr Akapol was the bureau’s fourth president, holding the post for two years and five months. There is industry speculation someone close to Banharn Silpa-archa will take this job.