Minster muses over expo benefits

BANGKOK, 2 July2012: Deputy Prime Minister and Tourism and Sports Minister Chumpol Silpa-archa says the country is ready to host the mega event World Expo 2020.

Speaking on the sidelines of the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau MoU signing ceremony with 28 universities, late last week, Mr Chumpol said he was confident that Ayutthaya, if it was selected to host the World Expo 2020, could deliver the infrastructure, location and skills to pull off a world-class event.

“Thailand gained good feedback during an update delivered to the 151st General Assembly of the Bureau of International Expositions in Paris 11 to 12 June,” he said.

Mr Chumpol added: “Hosting the World Expo 2020 is on the national agenda to support our fast-growing MICE industry as well as bring invaluable and lasting benefits to the country.”

He also confirmed the government’s commitment to build the country’s largest flood control system to prevent Ayutthaya from suffering floods in the future.

Work is progressing on water gates and barriers in the province but it will take around five years to complete all the projects.

Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau board of director advisor, Varawut Silpa-archa, said he presented details of Thailand’s progress at the third presentation to world expo bureau officials.

There is a three-prong strategy to improve support:

• At local level will engage with Ayutthaya residents to demonstrate the benefits of hosting the event;

• At national level the bid details were presented at a BOI fair earlier this year, attended by more than 2 million Thais;

• At international level, a major public relations programme has been implemented, and Thailand’s participation at Expo 2012 at Yeosu in South Korea was a key factor. The Thai pavilion has so far attracted more than 350,000 people in the first month since the expo opened.

Mr Varawut added: “Currently, TCEB is in the process of preparing Thailand’s bidding document. This requires presentation of project plans for every key component including budget management, infrastructure, building plans and designs and communications.”

All documents will be completed and submitted to BIE by December 2012.

Thailand will present updates to the BIE two more times — in November 2012 and June 2013.

In January 2013, BIE will also visit Thailand to evaluate Thailand’s readiness to host the event before the final decision is announced in November 2013.

The theme for the Ayutthaya proposed expo is; Redefine Globalisation: Balanced Life, Sustainable Living.

The most likely World Expo site covers 1,200 to 1,500 rai near the Bang Sai Royal Falk Arts and Crafts Centre.

The site is located 82 km north of Suvarnabhumi International Airport and just 42 km north of Don Mueang Airport. It lies adjacent to the river, about 5 km west of the 347 highway just north of where the 347 cuts across a major ring road linking highway 340 and highway 1 and 32.

Ayutthaya has to compete with the four candidates; Brazil’s Sao Paolo; Russia’s Ekateringburg; United Arab Emirates’ Dubai; and Turkey’s Izmir.

BIE has currently over 157 members’ countries. Thailand joined the BIE as an official member in 1993.

The World Expo is regarded as the third most significant global event in terms of its economic and cultural impact after Olympic Games and FIFA World Cup.