TCEB OFFERS SINCERE CONDOLENCES TO THE PEOPLE OF BELGIUM

On behalf of the Thai business events industry, the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau or TCEB extends its heartfelt condolences to the people of Belgium in the wake of today’s tragic events in Brussels.

The business events sectors of Thailand and Belgium have enjoyed a deep relationship over a long period. Belgium forms part of the significant European MICE market, which last year contributed a total 118,436 MICE travellers to Thailand, an 11.7 per cent growth over the 2014 fiscal year.

Against this backdrop of close collaboration, it is with deepest sincerity that the TCEB team conveys its sadness at the loss of life that has occurred.

For the benefit of Thai MICE travellers to Belgium and Belgian MICE travellers to Thailand, TCEB has prepared a brief update on the situation.

Assistance from the Royal Thai Embassy in Brussels

The Royal Thai Embassy in Brussels stands ready to provide further information and assistance to travellers from Monday – Friday, and is located at 876, Chaussee de Waterloo, 1000, Brussels, Belgium, Tel: +32 (0)2 640 68 10, Website: www2.thaiembassy.be

Thai Airways International unable to operate flights to and from Brussels due to airport closure

Thai Airways International (THAI) has announced that it is unable to operate flights to and from Brussels, Belgium due to airport closure following an explosion at 08:00 hours (local time) at Brussels Zaventem Airport today.

The last THAI flight from Bangkok to Brussels was TG934, which departed from Suvarnabhumi Airport at 00:30 hours and arrived at Brussels Zaventem Airport at 07:00 hours (local time) on the same day, with all 326 passengers and 20 crew members are accounted for upon arrival. Flight TG935 from Brussels to Bangkok, originally scheduled to depart from Brussels Zaventem Airport at 13:10 hours (local time) and arrive at Suvarnabhumi Airport at 06:10 hours (the following day), is postponed until the airport is open for operations.

THAI operates four flights per week to Brussels on every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday, utilizing Boeing 777-300ER aircraft. Flight TG934 departs from Suvarnabhumi Airport at 00:30 hours and arrives at Brussels Zaventem Airport at 07:00 hours (local time, same day arrival). Flight TG935 departs from Brussels Zaventem Airport at 13:10 hours (local time) and arrives at Suvarnabhumi Airport at 06:10 hours (the following day). Passengers may obtain further information on www.thaiairways.com or by calling the THAI Contact Center at Tel. 02-356-1111 (24 hours a day).

As the government’s flagship body for the MICE sector, TCEB will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates. Should travellers currently in Thailand require any further information, please call TCEB office: +66 (0) 2694 6000, TCEB call centre at 1105 (within Thailand only), visit www.businesseventsthailand.com or contact info@tceb.or.th.

Or contact these relevant authorities:

•    Tourism Authority of Thailand Call Centre 1672

•    Ministry of Foreign Affairs +66 (0) 2203 4381-2

•    Department of Consular Affairs +66 (0) 23833402-4

•    Airports of Thailand Plc Call Centre +66 (0) 2132 9996-7

•    Airport Information Counters Call Centre    1722

•    Thai Airways International (THAI) Call Centre +66 (0) 2356 1111

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For more information please contact:

Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (Public Organization)

Ms Arisara Thanuplang    Tel +66 2 694 6095    Email: arisara_t@tceb.or.th

Ms Kanokwan Kadeedang    Tel +66 2 694 6006    Email: kanokwan_k@tceb.or.th

Ms Kwanchanok Otton    Tel +66 2 694 6096    Email: kwanchanok_o@tceb.or.th

Ms Paniyada Mulalin    Tel +66 2 694 6091    Email: paniyada_m@tceb.or.th