Thailand Confident Of 2020 World Expo Bid

[webfact]

Thailand Confident of 2020 World Expo Bid

Thailand has officially made a bid to become the host of the 2020 World Expo. The Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau claims the expo will bring 25 million visitors and more than 200 billion baht to the country.

President of the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau or TCEB Akapol Sorasuchart and Governor of Ayutthaya Province Wittaya Pewpong have organized a joint press conference to report on the progress of Thailand’s bid to become host of the 2020 World Expo.

According to Akapol, on April 29 Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva signed the proposal to have Ayutthaya Province represent Thailand in the bid to host the expo.

Deputy Prime Minister Sanan Kachornprasart, who also oversees the TCEB, will represent Thailand in the May 16 meeting at the International Exhibitions Bureau or the BIE in Paris, France to discuss the bidding procedure with the other 157 member countries.

Currently, only Thailand and Turkey have officially submitted bids. According to the BIE, the bid deadline is in November, and it has been reported that it is possible that Russia will enter the race and could prove to be Thailand’s main competition.

The TCEB president has reaffirmed that the bid will not be affected by the House dissolution and upcoming general election. He believes the next administration will see that the expo is a great opportunity for Thailand and thus will continue to support the bid despite a delay in funding. In any case, Akpol has reassured that the TCEB will be able to manage any challenges that may arise.

The TCEB has estimated that if Thailand is selected, the World Expo will be held from January 15 to June 12, 2020 with more than 25 million visitors over the six-month period, generating more than 200 billion baht in revenue or 1.4 percent of the country’s GDP.

Akapol said that in six months the World Expo Committee will visit each of the bidding nations.

Meanwhile, Thailand will have to create a logo and a mascot, erect a landmark, and select youth ambassadors to represent the country in the bid. Thailand has proposed the bid under the concept “Balanced Life, Sustainable Living--Let’s Redefine Globalization.”

The bid is also aimed to promote tourism in Ayutthaya Province, a city rich in Thai history and culture.

As for transportation, the government has approved the construction of the Bang Yai-Bang Sai Red Line BTS and the China-Singapore High-Speed Rail System, which will pass through Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam. These transportation infrastructures will be completed by 2020 to accommodate expo attendees.

-- Tan Network 2011-05-10

[arrowsdawdle]

25 million, but are those unique visitors or does this include the approximately 16 million per year visitors that they expect every year with no expo?

Edited May 10, 2011 by arrowsdawdle

[RobCarter]

Ayutthaya will NEVER win...

Where will these visitors stay? Grant hotel?

Ayutthaya doesn't have the amenities for that many people, and they will never be able to compete with other contenders... Copenhagen, Dubai, Silicon Valley, Brisbane, Sao Paulo...

Thailand.. Please... Don't embarrass yourselves.

[doggie888888]

The sad thing is Pattaya was overlooked in favour of Ayyuthaya.

I heard Pattaya's slogan for World Expo 2020 was "Welcooooome hansum men"