CURFEW LIFTED IN SEASIDE PARADISE DESTINATIONS: HUA HIN, CHA-AM, KRABI AND PHANG-NGA ISLAND

Bangkok, 7 June 2014 – The National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) has announced the lifting of the night-time curfew in four more serene seaside MICE and tourist destinations, including Hua Hin, Cha-am, Krabi and Phang-nga with immediate effect, further demonstrating the commitment by the NCPO to promote Thailand’s tourism and MICE sectors.

The daily curfew, reduced from seven hours (22.00-05.00 hrs) to four hours (00.01-04.00 hrs) as of 28 May 2014, was also lifted for the all-night full moon parties on Ko Phangan from 9-13 June, and in the beach resorts of Pattaya, Phuket and Samui Island, effective from 3 June. The curfew continues in other areas of Thailand to ensure the safety of Thai citizens as well as MICE visitors and travellers during the Kingdom’s current political transition.

Commenting on the situation, Mr Nopparat Maythaveekulchai, president of Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (Public Organization) or TCEB, reassured international stakeholders that, “Thailand’s famous warm hospitality and world-class MICE standards are as strong as ever. To ensure the safety of all visitors, security in Bangkok has been stepped up, and we reiterate our advice to business travellers to check travel routing before travelling within the Thai capital to avoid being inconvenienced.”

In Bangkok, businesses – including banks, petrol and gas stations, hotels, spas, restaurants, and entertainment venues – and MICE facilities such as convention and exhibition centre and hotels continue to operate as normal until 23.00 hours, and there is no military presence in popular MICE areas. While inter-provincial passenger bus services are not operating during the curfew, hospitals are open and operating as normal, as are all landline and mobile telephone and Internet services. All airports in Thailand remain open, and air passengers with arrival and departure flights scheduled during curfew hours can travel to and from the airports at any time as usual. MICE travellers with arrival and departure flights during curfew hours are advised to prepare all travel documents when travelling to and from the airports.

To ensure the safety and convenience of all business travellers to Thailand, TCEB is closely coordinating with the Ministry of Tourism and Sports (MoTS) to provide The Tourist’s Friend Centre (TFC) – operated by the MoTS – which is open 24 hours a day to offer assistance to business travellers. There are two TFC branches, located at Suvarnabhumi Airport and Don Mueang International Airport, and four TFC Help Desks located at the following BTS Skytrain stations: Siam, Phaya Thai, Ekkamai and Sala Daeng.

Of the regions that have just had curfews lifted, two are particularly renowned as incentive MICE destinations – Hua Hin and Krabi – both of which offer a superb diversity of choice for MICE events of any type and scale, and have been showcased by TCEB through corporate and media familiarization trips.

The LUXURY MICE destination of Hua Hin boasts sparkling beaches and an energetic vision, truly exemplifying its status as one of the country’s favourite beachside destinations by royalty and members of the Thai elite. Offering first class infrastructure and some of the finest accommodation in Thailand, it is known for its quiet beaches, quaint towns and charming heritage. Hua Hin also boasts venues for business events that can accommodate up to 5,000 guests, and is conveniently located just two and an half hours’ drive from Bangkok. It is also served by an airport, with a growing domestic flight network.

Krabi is a coastal province featuring a pristine coastline, a true gem of the Andaman Coast in southern Thailand. Just offshore, a labyrinth of unspoilt limestone islands is accessible by traditional long-tail boats, but more modern options exist for reaching the area from Bangkok. Daily flights usher in visitors to enjoy wildlife, coral reefs, hot springs, rock climbing, and of course beaches. Promoted as part of TCEB’s ‘Adventure MICE of the Andaman’ scheme, Krabi offers meetings and incentives guests plethora of enticing activities, while also capturing Thailand’s booming spa and wellness industry.

For business travellers, Thailand’s abundant destinations are enriched by world-class facilities and state-of-the-art infrastructure. On 3 June, two other world-class MICE Cities – Pattaya and Phuket – also had their night-time curfews lifted. Pattaya – a favourite seaside resort for business and pleasure – is all about sea and sun and beachside fun, where pleasure and business meet. A resort town in Chon Buri Province, 90 minutes’ drive from Bangkok, Pattaya is a place for travellers to indulge their hedonistic side, yet at the same time it‘s a friendly, service-oriented destination that hosts countless top business events. Phuket, on the other hand, is known as the ‘Pearl of the Andaman Sea’. An island where verdant jungle rolls down to some of the planet’s finest beaches, Phuket is also one of the country’s economic hubs. The island has everything needed for outstanding business events; a dazzling array of venues, activities, and attractions to ensure fun and fulfilling exhibitions, conventions, and team-building functions.

Should travellers require any further information and assistance, 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.

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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

Mr Pishnu Plaikaew Tel +66 2 694 6000 Email: pishnu_p@tceb.or.th

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