TCEB reveals “Public and Private Sectors” hand 100% support and prompt to bring World Expo 2020 under Cabinet consideration

Thailand is a country full of potentials and recognized globally as a premium international conference and exhibition platform. Not only regional but also world-class events such as the Royal Flora Ratchaphruek international horticulture expo, and several summits of world leaders for ASEAN, European and American were held in the kingdom of Thailand. More than 400 conferences and exhibitions are organized annually and this makes Thailand ranks 2nd in terms of the number of participant and international events.

‘World Expo’ is perceived by all nations as the world-class mega event. The upcoming ‘World Expo’ will be held in Shanghai literally established under the concept “World Expo 2010: Better City Better Life” with 70 millions people from around the world are expected to pay their visit at this significant event. World Expo is positioned to take place every 5 years and the next host country after Shanghai belongs to Germany. The 2020 edition hasn’t yet designated to any countries and by recognizing of tremendous advantages of being the host country of ‘World Expo’, Thailand led by Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau or so-called TCEB organized the “Open Day” seminar seeking to gather supports from both private and public sectors in joining ‘World Expo 2020’ bidding which will announce the bidding winner in year 2014.

TCEB President Akapol Sorasuchart stated that, “the responses from “Open Day” under the theme “Thailand for World Expo 2020” are very encouraging and all segment literally expressed to provide their full supports for this bidding. Joined by more than 567 people, it significantly indicated that both public and private entities recognized the importance. They disclosed their opinions as well as further analyzed overall feasibility which is in conjunction with the National Development Master Plan including economic status as well as 5-10 years plan for infrastructure and transportation network investment. The consequence of study signifies that despite Thailand’s “distinguished capability” and “immense readiness”, full backing from government is massively needed”.

“TCEB will pull together all comments and suggestions from this stage in order to present to Thai Cabinet for finalization within March 2010. TCEB will just propose the possible budget framework which is approximately 20,000 – 30,000 Million Baht. However, the government will finalize the budget dedicating to spend on bidding process. Likely that the source of budget is not necessary come from a single mainstream but possibly derived from ministries, state-owned enterprises as well as private sectors. The advantages of being a host country of World Expo is not only generating revenues of 200 billion baht to the country but also leveraging the harmony of nation since this project massively needs the collaboration from every sector and it is not only the responsibility of a single organization. This will enhance and betterment country’s image and definitely expose Thailand’s capability in the global platform.

Thailand is fully prepared to host World Expo 2020, and stands in line with the selection criteria set out by the “Bureau International des Expositions”, or “BIE.” In terms of the feasibility of being selected to host the event, we have a good relationship with countries represented on the BIE Board, our locations and venues are ready, and Thailand has considerable experience in hosting international events. Moreover, the national infrastructure development plan represents another major selling point for Thailand. The Ministry of Transport’s 20-Year Master Plan for the mass transit rail system in Bangkok and municipalities has been approved by the Cabinet, and when complete will extend to 495 km, covering 680 square kilometers, and serving a population of 5.13 million people around Bangkok. Those aforementioned abilities emphasize seriously on the readiness of Thailand as a host country of World Expo 2020.

TCEB has appointed Nielsen Thailand Co Ltd to conduct a study and collect and analyze data from the Shanghai World Expo, People’s Republic of China, and the city of Aichi, Japan. The study’s findings clearly indicated that GDP and employment rates of cities hosting World Expos mostly showed an upward trend in the year prior to the event, and also that inward direct foreign investment to these countries was also boosted. For the host country of “World Expo” despite the obvious increasing in employment rate prior the event periods, there would be revenues derived from investments by other countries in building exhibits and national Pavilions have been widely distributed among industry sectors, benefitting the construction, service, transportation, public sector and communications industries, and boosting circulation of money within the economy for at least six months prior to the event.

In regard to the latest progress by competing countries, so far 10 cities for 7 countries have declared their intention to bid. These are Brisbane, Copenhagen, Dubai, Manila, San Francisco, New York and Houston, Montreal, Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paolo. They are all considered as the competitors with Thailand and it is very essential for the country to prompt itself to be competitive with these highly potential competitors.