THAILAND
The Bleisure triangle
Thailand is looking to mix business with pleasure as it promotes a new trifecta of destinations in what
it is calling a ‘MICE triangle’, writes Sheridan Randall.
Thailand 4.0 is in full swing with a policy push that encourages
new business environments, innovation, as well as the promotion
of hard and soft infrastructure. Key in the new economic policy
is improved connectivity, construction of mega infrastructures, in
addition to incentives to enhance new investments in the Eastern
Economic Corridor. Thailand is also set to benefit from China’s
highly ambitious Belt and Road infrastructure initiative which
is aiming to boost trade routes linking China to a multitude of
Eurasian countries.
The eastern seaboard is set to receive more than US$43 billion
of new foreign investment over the next five years as it
transforms from a manufacturing base to smarter sectors such
as electronics, robotics, biomedical and medical and wellness
tourism. Aiding that is a series of new rail and motorways
connecting Rayong, Chonburi and Chachoengsao that link the
region with Bangkok.
Thailand is looking to connect all these new initiatives and
investment around a new ‘bleisure’ hub of Pattaya, Hua Hin
and Bangkok. Connecting that ‘bleisure’ triangle are major
infrastructure projects including an upgrade of U-Tapao Airport
and Laem Chabang Seaport, high-speed eastern rail route
development and highways and motorways expansion, in addition
to a two hour ferry service linking Pattaya and Hua Hin.
“Thailand 4.0 inspires and encourages business activities and
this, in turn, makes the country a venue for meetings linked to
trade development, technology and research,” says Supawan
Teerarat, vice president of Thailand Convention and Exhibition
Bureau's (TCEB) Strategic and Business Development. “The uplift
of the country’s economy will directly benefit the MICE industry.”
10 Convention & Incentive Marketing, Issue 6, 2017 www.cimmagazine.com