Why Thailand

(OCT23) New Experiences

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MICE travellers from around the world come to Thailand to experience the essence of Thailand, a destination that meets the desires of both business travel and tourism (Bleisure) in its 10 unique MICE cities: Bangkok, Pattaya, Chiang Mai, Phitsanulok, Khon Kaen, Udon Thani, Nakhon Ratchasima, Surat Thani, Phuket, and Songkhla. Many other locations have the potential to join this list including Sukhothai, Chiang Rai, Ayutthaya, Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Kanchanaburi, Buri Ram, Ubon Ratchathani, and Nakhon Sri Thammarat, with new experiences offered by these cities expanding the range of creative MICE experiences available for training and seminars, incentive programmes, international conferences and conventions, trade shows and exhibitions, mega events and festivals, social and environmental activities, CSR and team building. Other new experiential activities in local communities across the country also allow MICE travellers to learn about, and immerse themselves in, the unforgettable Thailand experience.

1. Seasonal Events, Festivals & Exhibitions

L’Etape Udon Thani by Tour de France 2023 (5 May 2023 in Udon Thani province)

The internationally-renowned world-class event will be organised in Udon Thani province and is expected to attract more than 1,500 athletes. Organising the event will help promote Udon Thani as a sports destination and MICE city, and stimulate tourism, trade and investment, and the local economy of the province which is honoured to have been awarded the event for three years from 2023 to 2025. The event will be a first for Udon Thani and the route has been designed in consultation with the event organisers and the host province. Fans and participants should prepare themselves for the ultimate “unseen"" route with two race distances – 137km and 66km.

More information: https://www.facebook.com/letapethailand/

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Thailand Smart City Expo 2023 (22 – 24 November 2023 at Queen Sirikit National Convention Center)

An exhibition focussing on building more efficient cities through technology for a better quality of life. The event will bring together innovations for smart cities from seven key industry groups:

- Smart Telecom

- Smart Energy

- Smart Living

- Smart Industry & Retail

- Smart Mobility

- Smart Environment

- Smart Healthcare

As well as staging activities and seminars to promote smart cities.

Under the theme of “ASEAN Convergence”, the ASEAN region is undergoing rapid urban expansion leading to economic growth. As an example, governments have increasingly turned to technology to realise their markets’ full potential and support urban efficiencies. With new innovations continuing to develop rapidly, powerful new technologies help shape countries’ development, and their populations whether in work, leisure, or education. The event offers a wonderful opportunity for developers of smart technology to meet buyers and key decision-makers from national agencies and major corporations from Thailand and the ASEAN region.

More information: https://thailandsmartcityexpo.com/

• Metalex 2023 (22 – 25 November 2023 at BITEC Bangna)

The 37th edition of ASEAN’s number one metallurgical machinery technology expo brings together the most up-to-date technologies and technology providers. More than 95,000 metal-working industrialists will step to the forefront of the industry with the launch of innovative machinery and metalworking technologies at METALEX. More than 2,500 technology manufacturing and distributing brands from around the world will be in attendance. Suppliers of Smart Materials, Additive Manufacturing, and AI Technology will also be present unveiling the most up-to-date technologies bringing the latest efficiencies and productivities to industrialists from across ASEAN. Every year METALEX features the latest in products and solutions from manufacturers and is a hotspot for lively business negotiations.

More information: https://www.metalex.co.th/

2. New Places Creating New Experiences

YONA Beach Club

The world’s first floating beach club, YONA Beach Club is located in Phuket province. Its mission is to deliver a one-of-a-kind-experience on “an oasis in the middle of the sea”. YONA Beach Club is perfect for MICE activities, parties, and exclusive events surrounded by the azure waters of the Andaman Sea. From the 1,200 square metre club guests can admire the panoramic ocean views from a private cabana, the beach club, restaurant, or a day bed beside the 22-metre infinity pool. The club’s food menu offers vibrant dishes using fresh seasonal flavours mixing Mediterranean, Japanese, and Asian cuisines.

More information: www.yonabeach.com

Credit : Yonabeach.com

ICONLUXE Pop Up Space (Rotating Art Exhibitions)

ICONLUXE Pop Up Space features art exhibitions that bring together works from artists in a range of fields. In 2023 the space has featured three exhibitions including “Consequences of the World and Life”, an inspiring and thought-provoking look at the continuing effects of truth in nature; “Wonderful Life Wonderful Love”, which transports visitors into a world of visual enchantment reflecting the personalities and character of the six featured artists as they explore the concepts of love and emotion that surround us; and “Contaminated Dust” which takes visitors on an imaginative journey as it addresses the issue of air contamination caused by human development. “Contaminated Dust” is open until 31 October 2023 at ICONLUXE Pop Up Space on the 1st floor at ICONSIAM.

More information: www.facebook.com/ICONSIAM

Khlong Mae Kha, Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai’s new landmark experience offers visitors the opportunity to experience the atmosphere and way of life of the people of Chiang Mai at Khlong Mae Kha (Mae Kha Canal). Originally the canal lacked a wastewater treatment system and suffered from an odour pollution problem which was the primary reason for the municipal authority to act, and the canal is now referred to as the Otaru of Thailand. The water in the canal was treated and the surrounding area has been renovated and decorated in bright colours – it now has suggestions of Japan mixed with the lifestyle of the people of the north. Along the banks are shops selling a wide range of products, as well as coffee and snack shops. Souvenir shops support the local community by selling items including tribal bags and clothing, products adapted by local villagers from the way of life of their tribes.

More information: Khlong Mae Cha Facebook Page

3. Food

Khantoke

Khantoke is a Thai dish that was featured by the winner of MasterChef UK 2023. The dish originates from the Lanna people and “khantoke” is the name of a pedestal tray that is used to display various kinds of food. Traditionally Thai people sit on the floor to eat so it was necessary to have a serving tray with a base that was tall enough to facilitate eating. A typical khantoke set might include sticky rice with the following:

- chilli paste and side dishes including nam prik noom or nam prik ong (or both), with steamed and fresh vegetables such as cucumber, cabbage, pumpkin, and crispy pork rind.

- a main protein such as pork, chicken, fish or beef.

Kaphrao (Thai basil)

Stir-fried basil has been one of the most popular fast dishes for Thai people for many, many years. Its popularity is based on its strong and delicious taste that can be made with a variety of proteins such as pork, chicken, seafood, or processed foods. The most important ingredient are the Thai basil leaves which possess a unique aroma and are good for the respiratory system. Thailand is now offering stir-fried basil as a Thai “fast food” which is part of Thai intellectual heritage and now becoming well-known across the globe. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has been promoting the dish through the World Kaphrao Thailand Grand Prix 2023 which was held from 25 – 27 August 2023 where it sought to find the “most delicious stir-fried basil in Thailand”. The winner was Team Neua Hom Kitchen from Lampang province in northern Thailand.

Khanom Wan Sart Duean Sib (Khanom on Sart Day of the Tenth Lunar Month)

Khanom on Sat Day of the Tenth Lunar Month is a dessert that is traditionally served in southern Thailand on its namesake day. The day is also called the Buddha Festival of the Tenth Month. The dish consists of five offerings mostly made from flour and sugar which are placed in a mrab, and each dish represents an object in the afterlife as follows:

1. Khanom Pong: is made from glutinous rice that has been soaked in water overnight, before being scooped into a circular mold, dried in the sun and then fried. It symbolises a raft to be used for travelling.

2. Khanom La: is made from rice flour mixed with glutinous rice flour and sugar, and sprinkled in strands on a lotus leaf pan. It symbolises clothing.

3. Khanom Kong or Khanom Kai Pla: is made from the finely ground split halves of mung beans, and molded into the shape of a wheel. It is then coated in flour and fried. It symbolises jewellery.

4. Khanom Jao Ru or Khanom Di Sum: is made from rice flour mixed with glutinous rice flour that is kneaded with palm sugar until golden brown. It symbolises gold.

5. Khanom Ba: is made from glutinous rice flour mixed with rice flour and steamed sweet potato. The ingredients are kneaded together and shaped into balls, then mixed with white sesame and fried. It symbolises luk saba a popular toy used at Thai New Year.