Mr Nopparat, after months of political uncertainty, surely some MICE business opportunities were lost. What strategies are TCEB employing to win back confidence from MICE organizers?

Yes. Indeed, business meeting, shopping, eating and sightseeing are all integral part of Thailand's MICE experience, and there were some disruption to this over the last few months. Therefore, TCEB has joined forces with Thai Airways International Public Company Limited, the Tourism Authority of Thailand, and Ratchaprasong Square Trade Association to introduce ‘Thailand’s MICE UNITED’, a strategic initiative to boost confidence in Thailand’s MICE industry. The initiative is aimed at reaching more than 250 key industry-influencers worldwide, including MICE buyers and the media.

What are the activities under the Thailand's MICE UNITED initiatives?

These include two international media familiarization trips, and two mega road shows in China and the UK, will include representation by top MICE contributors in each region. All these activities will be key drivers in reinvigorating Thailand’s positive image, as well as opening sales and marketing opportunities for Thailand's MICE entrepreneurs through a series of media engagement programmes. The implementation of the campaign will boost MICE activities in Thailand during the final quarter of the 2014 fiscal year.

But MICE buyers are still concerned about potential instability in Thailand, especially the risks of unrest in the build-up towards next year's election.

As you have experience over the last couple of days in Bangkok and Khon Kaen, Thailand is now calm and safe.

The Director-General, Department of Information, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has reaffirmed the commitment to the current peaceful and secure situation in Thailand, which is reflected by the satisfaction of both ordinary citizens and the business community. So now is the perfect time to showcase Thailand’s strong fundamentals and resilient economy.  Key government policies are being expedited, including important infrastructure projects to enhance Thailand’s natural advantage as Southeast Asia’s logistics hub. Foreign investors are attracted to opportunities in Thailand, which is a gateway to ASEAN, a market with population of more than 600 million. Thailand remains a regional hub, a vibrant, multicultural society with friendly people, a world-class tourist destination, and a strategic location for profitable businesses in ASEAN.

How does TCEB maintain or move-forward its mission despite constantly changing political and economic situations?

As a government agency, TCEB commits to ensuring and addressing concerns from business communities around the world. The bureau closely monitors the development of situations that might affect all stakeholders, partners and representatives, and also communicating facts and guidance through direct and indirect communications channels. 

Currently, to minimize the loss in the MICE industry, TCEB along with the Thai Team, private and public sector counterparts, work in tandem to promote country’s stability, as well as the strength and capabilities of Thailand’s MICE industry. 

As a preliminary result from this collaboration, Thailand was able to successfully secure top regional MICE events including THAIFEX – World of Food, LED EXPO 2014 and Renewable Energy 2014. These successes highlight the importance of Thailand’s MICE industry especially as the regional top exhibition and MICE platform.

During the short-term stimulation measures from July to September 2014, TCEB focuses on three key areas including the reassurance of MICE communities, domestic MICE promotion, and revision of international marketing plans.

Despite the adversity, Thailand shows that it can re-build confidence from business community, thanks to the strong industry fundamental based upon three strategic pillars of 'Diversity of Destinations', 'Unrivaled Business Opportunities' and 'High Quality Standards', that benefit MICE organizers and travelers from around the world.