Why Thailand



Thailand is the MICE connecting hub of Asia due to the optimal strategic location to connect ASEAN with Asia, and the development plan for Thai MICE industry structure that is developed under the cooperation of Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) and the regional alliances to develop 10 MICE cities of all regions nationwide. Further, the regional convention and exhibition bureaus are established in the four regions to execute the operations along with the regional government and private authorities to support the MICE events and organisers inclusively, perform the active actions within the region to strengthen the Thai MICE industry, and stimulate the sustainable growth to the region to become the connecting hub of Asia. TCEB collaborates with the provinces, associations, agencies, and local entrepreneurs closely to set the perception and create the jobs for all regions, and unlock the MICE business with the “restore, support, promote” strategy emphasizing the security of being the connecting hub and the benefits to revive the economy. 

1. Strategic Location

•   Exports

According to the Ministry of Commerce, the value of Thai exports in January 2022 was USD 21,258,600,000, or THB 708,312 million, an increase of 8 per cent over the corresponding month in 2021. The top three markets with the greatest growth were India, Russia, and the UK. Driving the increase in exports is the close collaboration between the Ministry of Commerce and the private sector. Exports for the full year of 2022 are expected to grow 3-4% in line with forecasts.

•   Local Investment 

The Foreign Business Operations Committee allows foreign investment in Thailand. In February 2022 there were 44 foreign investors bringing a total investment of THB 5,781,000,000, as well as specialised expertise in fields like technology transfer, into the country. Fields such as this – tools to ensure the safety of internet data transmission via Broadband systems – are areas where Thailand lacks specialised knowledge. Currently 39% of the total foreign investment in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) of Thailand - some THB 2,285,000,000 – is related to this.

•   Eastern Special Development Zone Policy
• Guidelines are in place to help promote OTOP products, bring innovations to product development, increase market demand, and grow community revenues in the EEC area. These operational guidelines are the establishment of EEC Enterprise and the EEC Incubation Centre. EEC Enterprise is a joint investment between the the Eastern Economic Corridor Policy Committee (EECO) and the National Village and Urban Community Fund Office, and develops production, and marketing and promotion plans, while the EEC Incubation Centre is responsible for conducting research to develop attractively packaged local products, and provide training for personnel to work with new innovations.
• The policy helps to determine EEC benefits. A key aspect of attracting investment to the EEC is determining the benefits for an entrepreneur in the seven special promotion zones. Benefits emphasise building private-public sector co-operation resulting in flexible investment and encouraging big investors to enter the EEC region which is key to realising the EEC’s goal of attracting THB 2.2 trillion in investment over the next five years. 
• On the agenda is a world-class International Air Show to demonstrate the potential of the local aviation industry and attract further investment to the EEC. The event will highlight the potential and preparedness of the aircraft maintenance service business and promote Thailand as a regional centre of the aviation industry generating incentives for investors in the Eastern Aviation City Special Zone. Business matching will also boost investment and help reach the five-year goal of THB 2.2 trillion. The Thailand International Air Show alone will see up to THB 8.2 billion injected into the local economy.

2. Easy Access Thailand enjoys a strategic location and serves as a gateway into the heart of Asia. Thailand has 38 airports, including seven international airports. In addition to 9 exhibition centres across Thailand, 10 MICE cities in Bangkok, Khon Kaen, Chiang Mai, Nakhon Ratchasima, Phitsanulok, Pattaya, Phuket, Songkhla, Surat Thani, and Udon Thani with the ability to organise a wide range of MICE events.

• U-Tapao Airport

On 2 March 2022, U-Tapao Rayong Pattaya International Airport received its Public Aerodrome Operating Certificate (PAOC) from the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT). The PAOC is the certificate required to operate an airport providing services to the public, and confirms the airport’s safety standards. U-Tapao Rayong Pattaya International Airport is the second public airport, and the first international airport to receive this certificate under the new international certification standards.

U-Tapao Rayong Pattaya International Airport provides public services to domestic and international aircraft. It is part of the U-Tapao Airport and Eastern Airport City Development project, one of the key infrastructure projects of the EEC. The project’s objective is to upgrade U-Tapao Rayong Pattaya International Airport to the third major commercial international airport connected via high-speed trains with Bangkok’s Don Mueang and Suvarnabhumi International Airports. The plan will see the three airports capable of handling up to 200 million passengers per year. 

• Convention & Exhibition Centres in Thailand

The Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre (QSNCC) has unveiled its new look, redefining itself as “The Ultimate Inspiring World Class Event Platform for All” and will be available for all kinds of events. The newly renovated venue has increased its available space five-fold – from 25,000 square metres to 300,000 square metres. QSNCC is scheduled to reopen in September 2022 and will be the venue for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Conference 2022 in November. As of April 2022, construction was 80% complete.

Credit: QSNCC

• Mega Projects

High-Speed Rail Link. The high-speed rail project linking the three airports is part of a 20-year national rail system development project in accordance with Thailand’s Transport Infrastructure Development 2015 – 2022 plan, and the twelfth National Economic and Social Development Plan (2017 – 2021) and part of the push to develop the Eastern Economic Corridor as the country’s main economic and investment area. Connecting U-Tapao, Don Mueang, and Suvarnabhumi International Airports by high-speed train will assist in the promotion of Thailand as an Asia-Pacific hub and drive growth in the EEC, resulting in a “New S-Curve” for the local economy. The high-speed rail project is expected to be operational in 2026.

Credit: https://www.hsr3airports.or.th/ 

3. New Development

•   Communication System Development 

The Metropolitan Rapid Transit (MRT) Purple Line Project from Taopoon to Rat Burana (Kanchanaphisek Rd.), or Southern Purple Line, has a total distance of 23.6 kilometres and is a combination of underground and elevated rail. The elevated section measures 11 kilometres and includes seven stations, while the underground section comprises 12.6 kilometres and 10 stations. The construction contract has been signed and construction will begin in 2022 and be completed in 2027. Once operational, the MRT Purple Line will have a total length of 46.4 kilometres and will serve as the major rail service connecting the provinces of Nonthaburi, Bangkok and Samut Prakan.  

Credit: MRTA

•   Technology Development