News
Thailand Ready to Host World Expo 2020 Ayutthaya Reveals preparations at 151st BIE General Assembly in Paris
- Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau
- July 3, 2012
Mr. Chumpol SILAPA-ARCHA, Deputy Prime Minister, led a delegation of Royal Thai Government representing the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (Public Organization) or TCEB, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Commerce, and the Tourism Authority of Thailand to join the 151st General Assembly of the Bureau of International Expositions (Bureau International des Expositions, or BIE) in Paris, from 11-12 June. The delegation delivered its third update on preparations to submit Thailand’s bid to host the World Expo 2020 Ayutthaya. BIE has 157 member countries. The Thai government has highlighted its support for the event by granting Thailand’s bid as a priority under the ‘National Agenda’, and fast-tracking construction of the largest flood control scheme in Thailand.
Mr. Chumpol SILAPA-ARCHA, Deputy Prime Minister,, disclosed that “The Prime Minister’s Office oversees TCEB and is working to facilitate Thailand’s bid to host World Expo 2020 Ayutthaya as an integral part of our national strategy to support the country’s fast-growing MICE industry by hosting global mega events. I am confident that hosting World Expo 2020 Ayutthaya will bring invaluable and lasting benefits to the country and our people. The key agencies responsible for preparing our bid are TCEB, TAT, the Ministry of Commerce and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In representing the Royal Thai Government, I believe we have succeeded in building confidence among BIE’s 157 member countries. This is our third update to BIE on the status of Thailand’s bid preparations, and stressed the significance of the government’s announcement incorporating the project as part of the National Agenda. Our report also emphasised the superb transportation network, world-class international airport, and Thailand’s strategic location as the gateway to Asia. We have also confirmed the government’s commitment to completing the country’s largest flood control system, which will bring immense benefits to the city and province of Ayutthaya, which has been nominated as the location for hosting World Expo 2020.
Mr. Varawut SILAPA-ARCHA, Advisor to the Board of Director of the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau, added that “As TCEB’ Advisor to the Board of Director, I was assigned by TCEB’s Board of Director to present details of Thailand’s progress. I reported Thailand’s plan to establish three levels of local participation in the project: firstly at local level, to maximize engagement of the population of Ayutthaya Province; at national level the bid was promoted at the BOI Fair earlier this year, attended by more than two million Thais. At international level, a major public relations programme has been implemented, and Thailand’s participation at Expo 2012 at Yeosu, Korea was widely acclaimed. The Thai Pavilion has so far attracted more than 350,000 people in the first month since opening, and has proved one of the event’s most popular pavilions.
“In addition, we have presented some examples of topics that might be utilised by member countries as themes for their own pavilions, under the Expo’s overall theme “Redefine Globalisation – Balanced Life, Sustainable Living”. These are as follows:
1. Revive Local Wisdoms for Human Well Being: including exercise and meditation, herbs and organic foods, traditional cultures and architecture,
2. Reunite Connections for Seamless Harmony: transport innovations, communication technologies, and social cohesion;
3. Rethink Creativity for Utmost Happiness: Creative arts, alternative energy, natural resource management, and eco-tourism;
4. Reform Life’s Values for Global Solidarity: Building cooperation without discrimination, unconditional giving, and eliminating social inequality.
Member countries are liberated to adopt, interpret and define these topics according to their own individual cultural perspective.
“Currently TCEB is in the process of preparing Thailand’s bidding documents. This requires presentation of project plans for every key component, including budget management, infrastructure, building plans and designs, and communications. These must all be completed and submitted to BIE by December 2012.
Altogether, 5 shortlisted countries reported on the status of their bids to BIE: Brazil (Sao Paolo), Russia (Ekaterinburg), United Arab Emirates (Dubai), Thailand (Ayutthaya) and Turkey (Ismir). Thailand will present the status of its bid to BIE another two times- in November and in June 2013. In January 2013 BIE will also visit Thailand to evaluate Thailand’s readiness and potential. The final outcome will be announced later in 2013,” Mr. Chumpol said in conclusion.
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For further information, please contact:
Department of Marketing Communication, Division of Public Relations, Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau
Parichat Svetasreni
Tel : +662-694-6092
Email : Parichat_s@tceb.or.th
Sumet Kanchanapan
Tel : +662-694-6096
Email : Sumet_k@tceb.or.th
(Source : Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau)
