This whole thing reminds me of a similar proposal by the TAT, to bring the Tour de France to Thailand. This idea came about after the Prayut coup in 2014, I guess governors and such had to come up with stuff to justify themselves and to divert attention from the coup makers..., not withstanding the fact that the Tour de France only happens in France and neighboring countries. Another guess is that the TAT governor got to go to France for talks and some discretionary funds...