Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) maintains that the Bangkok shutdown is overstated and launches Thailand Connect MICE campaign.

TCEB representatives at yesterday’s AIME presentation

A Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) spokesperson yesterday assured the industry that the effects of the Bangkok shutdown have been exaggerated by the media. The Thai government declared a state of emergency on January 17 this year but, since then, the main issues caused by the protests have been traffic disruptions.

TCEB confirmed that three association conferences and three corporate conventions were cancelled as a result of the upgraded travel status but expects that the bookings will return in the new Thai financial year that begins in October.

Despite these disruptions, TCEB is forging on with the announcement of its new Thailand Connect MICE program that offers a range of incentives to bookers and the launch of its new website, www.businesseventsthailand.com

A TCEB spokesperson said that despite the troubles in Bangkok, Chiang Mai is continuing to boom in the wake of the Asia Pacific Water Summit that was held there last year, bolstered by the addition of direct flights out of China, and Hua Hin is developing its presence within the MICE space with the recent opening of a new Amari property.

Later this year Centro Chitlom will open in Bangkok with convention space for 5000 people and a TCEB spokesperson said that the industry can expect another 2000 rooms to come online in Bangkok alone in 2014.