Expo 2020 in Phuket?

– A daily digest of news from around the world compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community

PHUKET: The Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) will work with the Ministry of Interior to canvas provinces in Thailand, including Phuket, to present their credentials to participate in the bid to a host Expo 2020.

According to TTR Weekly, all provinces are welcome to make a pitch to support the nation’s bid, even though only a few would be capable of actually hosting a world expo.

In order to support a prospective EXPO site, the qualified province must have the infrastructure to accommodate as many as 20 million visitors who would visit the event over a six-month period. This limits the choice to tourist destinations such as
Bangkok, Phuket, Chiang Mai and Pattaya.

TCEB president, Akapol Sorasuchart said: “We will study proposals from various provinces on feasibility, budget, location, and an event theme.”

Phuket special offer

Asia Travel Tips
The Andara Resort & Villas in Phuket have launched a ‘Spa Paradise’ promotion which includes one night in a 1- or 2-bedroom Residential Suite with breakfast in the Silk Restaurant, plus a complimentary 60-minute Spa Massage per day per person.

The offer also includes a 10% discount off a second session on any treatment from the spa menu plus double miles with Asia Miles for stays of a minimum of 3 nights.

Rates start from 10,120 baht net and the Phuket promotion runs until October 31.

Friendly footie: England vs Thailand

AFP
England will play Thailand for the first time ever next June to commemorate the 65th anniversary of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s accession to the Thai throne.

The Football Association said that Fabio Capello’s squad will fly out to Southeast Asia immediately after their Euro 2012 qualifier with Switzerland at Wembley on June 4.

The game against Thailand, managed by former England skipper Bryan Robson, is seen as ideal in gaining valuable support for England’s bid to host the 2018 World Cup.

Golfing, Diving on parade

TTR Weekly
Thailand Golf and Dive Expo 2010 and Wonderful Thailand 2010 will be held from May 20–23 at Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre. The expos aim to promote Thailand as a centre for golfing and diving in Asia.

The two events target 80,000 to 85,000 visitors, the same as last year, which generated 200 million baht in revenue.

Both shows are organised by the Tourism Authority of Thailand in cooperation with the NCC Exhibition Organiser (NEO).

Apart from the consumer-oriented show, there will be ‘meet and match’ business sessions to showcase golfing and diving products in Thailand.

Wonderful Thailand 2010 will be a travel event where visitors can shop for leisure tour programmes.

Red-shirts renege?

AFP
Protest leaders in Thailand signed up to Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva’s reconciliation roadmap to November elections, but now want the deputy premier to be charged over the April 10 violence incidents.

The Reds rejected Suthep’s “talks” with the DSI – Thailand’s equivalent of the US FBI – yesterday and refused to disband until there is a formal case opened against him.

“We don’t accept it – Suthep did not go there as a suspect,” said Nattawut Saikuar, a leader of the red-shirt protest movement.

“This time we will not allow murderers to escape and our condition is clear that all of those in the tyrannical government responsible for killing should be fairly prosecuted,” said another protest leader, Weng Tojirakarn.

Threat of violence resurfaces

Bloomberg
Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva told demonstrators to leave Bangkok’s streets or risk action from security forces.

“The security team may use measures which may affect people in the area, not only protesters,” he told reporters late yesterday in Bangkok.

The demonstrators earlier vowed to extend their occupation of the capital until police charged Abhisit’s deputy for ordering a military crackdown on April 10.

The renewed tension threatens to undermine an agreement to end the rallies between protesters and Abhisit, who last week offered to hold elections on November 14 to help break the impasse.

Economy, peace decline together

Reuters
Foreign investors, drawn by relatively cheap valuations, were net buyers of Thai stocks for almost seven weeks from late February. They have been net sellers for the past four sessions, offloading 14.5 billion baht of stocks.

“This kind of [political] uncertainty will fuel more foreign fund outflows,” said Warut Siwasariyanon, head of research at Finansia Syrus Securities.

“Thailand has been an unfortunate disappointment,” said Nash Benjamin, chief executive of Singapore retailer FJ Benjamin. The firm owns and runs a La Senza and two Celine franchises in Bangkok, and may now close one or two of the shops.

“We don’t see any light at the end of the tunnel,” Benjamin said.

— Gazette Editors