20-25 April 2010 @ Bangkok International Trade & Exhibition Centre (BITEC)

Organiser: Department of Export Promotion, Ministry of Commerce

One of Thailand’s most popular joint trade shows, the 29th Bangkok International Gift Fair & Bangkok Interna-tional Houseware Fair (BIG & BIH 2010) looked resplendent in its new home at BITEC, a move requested by overseas buyers to put them close to Suvarnabhumi International Airport. BITEC itself got into the swing of things by offering complimentary airport transfers for the 20-minute drive to Suvarnabhumi and luggage repositories for buyers who had checked out of their hotels and planned to go straight to the airport after the show.

Unfortunately, there was a noticeable lack of international buyers.

Nature, in the shape of the Icelandic volcano, had intervened, throwing up clouds of ash that closed all European airspace and prevented European buyers from attending. In addition, some unwelcome advisory notices from certain governments overplayed the seriousness of political demonstrations in Bangkok and discouraged a number of Asian buyers from attending.

Estimates place the drop in international buyers at around 30%. The Department of Export Promotion’s figures show 1,604 international buyers, down 24.3% from the previous show in 2009.

The show was not a washout by any means, just disappointing for the DEP, which was expecting substantial sales from BIG & BIH to help underline Thailand’s economic and trade recovery. The gift and lifestyle industry is an important export sector for Thailand, with exports in 2009 totalling US$ 2,500 million. In the first two months of 2010, exports amounted to US$ 416.4 million, a 12.77% increase over the same period in 2009.

Thailand is well-known for the creativity, innovation and quality of its gift items, the majority of which are hand-crafted with strong environmental friendly elements. BIG & BIH plays such a leading role in introducing the unique gift items of the country’s SMEs and innovative designers to international buyers that it is now held twice a year.

The current show occupied all BITEC’s seven event halls, with the bulk of space devoted to a fascinating collection of gift items, including: home decorative items, artificial flowers, beauty and spa products, candles, fashion jewellery, art & frames, handicrafts, home textiles, stationery, toys, household products, furniture, ceramics and much more, all displayed under the theme of “Soul and Style of the Orient”.

Highlight of this excellent show was the Design Hall, where the best of the best current designs were on display, including a pavilion showcasing winners of the Design Excellence Awards (DEmark). Exhibitors in this segment are selected for the quality and creativity of their products by the Lifestyle Products Federation, one of the main supporters of BIG & BIH.

For the unfortunate buyers who missed the show, there is another opportunity to catch up on Thai lifestyle products at the year’s second BIG & BIH from 19-24 October 2010 at BITEC. Let’s hope there are no more unwanted outside influences.