THAILAND ROADSHOW NEWS - TCEB addressed the UK market on Thursday 19 May as part of an international roadshow to promote Thailand as the hub of the ASEAN region.
Speaking to EW, TCEB President Akapol Sorasuchart said plans are in place for a formal representative body for the unified ASEAN Economic Community next year, based around longstanding free trade agreements (FTAs) and loosely resembling the European Economic Community, succeeded by the European Union.
“Bangkok stands at the heart of the ASEAN region," said Sorasuchart, "and if you include nearby Southern China, Japan and South Korea [aka ASEAN+3], then you are looking at a region encapsulating a quarter of the world’s population.”
Sorasuchart added the figure doubles to half the world’s population “if you include the slightly more far-flung India, Australia and New Zealand” (ASEAN+6).
Research indicates flights beyond two-and-a-half hours act as a deterrent to visitors and exhibitors involved in international events.
The initial proposal to set-up a Free Trade Area among ASEAN members was mooted by Thai Prime Minister Anand Panyarachun and later agreed on during an ASEAN Seniors Economic Official Meeting in Malaysia.
The Thai exhibition industry has weathered a stormy 12 months following the 2010 Red Shirts’ political protests in the capital; a series of violent clashes limited to an area in the centre of Bangkok. The resulting negative publicity saw several events move out of Thailand and a stark decline in international attendees.
However things are beginning to look up. The Bureau of International Expositions recently accepted Thailand’s bid for the 2020 World Expo in the historical Thai capital, Ayutthaya.
Any news? Contact exhibitionworld@mashmedia.net
