Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) EXPLOSION INCIDENT IN BANGKOK: THAILAND SITUATION UPDATE ON 23 AUGUST 2015 at 19.00 hrs.

The Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (Public Organization) or TCEB has prepared six immediate measures with the emphasis on providing assistance and maintaining confidence among MICE organisers and travellers attending events in Thailand.

For all events officially supported by TCEB, the organisers will be offered the following assistance measures and supports.

Measure 1: The measure to provide support on the MICE Lane service to facilitate MICE Travellers from the plane to Immigration checkpoint at Suvannabhumi Airport. Organisers of MICE events in Thailand who wish to receive the support under this measure can make a request for events that are officially supported by TCEB only.

Measure 2: The measure to provide information and assistance services at TCEB Counter at Suvannabhumi Airport. TCEB Counter, located at the Conveyer Belt 18, Arrival Hall, provides information as well as address questions from MICE travellers 24 hours, covering from updates on the industry or others, such as, contacting the Tourist Police, associations or related government agencies.

Measure 3: The measure to provide regular communication on the current situation to keep the market up to date and to maintain confidence among MICE organisers. TCEB will issue statement and provide up-to-date information on the current situation on request by MICE organisers of TCEB-supported events.

Measure 4: The measure to provide special police escort support for MICE travellers travelling in large groups and for VIPs with the emphasis on providing safety and smooth experience for transferring between the airport and hotel. MICE organisers can make a request for expenses support for events with minimum 200 delegates per group or attended by VIPs. The support is at maximum 5,000 baht per time and for events that TCEB supports only.

Measure 5: The measure to provide security support for high-level executives or VIPs. MICE Organisers can make a request for expense support on hiring security personnel per the number of MICE travellers at a ratio of 2 security persons per 100 business travellers. The support package for security personnel is at maximum 1,500 baht per person per day and for events that TCEB supports only.

Measure 6: The measure to provide extra security support. Organisers can make a request for additional security as urgent and necessary by submitting their demand to TCEB for approval and for events that TCEB supports only.

Operation of the MICE Industry

International stakeholders are advised that Thailand’s MICE industry continues to operate as normal, and all public and private sector stakeholders are working together to monitor the situation. All hotels, venues and attractions are open and ready to welcome travellers. Transportation links, major roads and airports continue to operate, including Bangkok’s BTS Skytrain and MRT services and both Don Muang and Suvannabhumi International Airports.

TCEB would like to report that in the wake of Monday’s incident at Ratchaprasong’s Erawan Shrine, MICE events and activities are continuing as normal in the city. All other attractions and venues popular with MICE groups are operating as normal while MICE travellers have also started coming to the Erawan Shrine to pay their respects to the Four-Faced Brahma God, and the people who lost their lives following the five-faith religious ceremony that was held at CentralWorld on Friday.

Thai Airways International Public Company Limited (THAI) announced to waive the flight change surcharge for tickets issued by THAI sales offices in Thailand as well as overseas, as well as tickets issued online through www.thaiairways.com prior to or on 17 August 2015 during 18 August to 18 September 2015 for the convenience of customers who may not be able to travel. The waiver for flight changes will be allowed one time only for all routes specified on the passenger ticket, with the same ticket validity as specified in the original ticket and/or by 18 September 2015.

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

•    Tourism Authority of Thailand Call Centre 1672

•    Ministry of Foreign Affairs Hotline +66 (0) 2644 7245 / 2643 5522 / 85 065 9927

•    Tourist Police Hotline 1155

•    Suvannabhumi International Airport +66 (0) 2132 4000

•    Don Muang International Airport +66 (0) 2535 1616

•    THAI Contact Center at Tel. 02-356-1111

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For more information please contact:

Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (Public Organisation)

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