Thailand has MICE potential, but no strategy, NIDA researcher tells tourism meeting

Seminar participants pose for a commemorative photo, with Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome (center) and guest lecturer Pattreya Lakphet (center right, in white blouse).

Jetsada Homklin
Thailand has potential to become a major business-meetings destination, but currently lacks clear policies and strategies, a tourism conference in Pattaya was told.
Pattreya Lakphet, the National Institute of Development Administration’s director of research into Thailand’s “meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions” sector, said MICE-related businesses need to develop a tighter network that will lower costs and better help them compete internationally.
Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome opened the July 15 MICE-networking workshop at the Amari Orchid Resort & Tower with members of the city’s tourism department, business operators and about 60 NIDA students who listened to Pattreya’s lecture on “Market Direction and Accessibility to Quality Groups.”
NIDA, she said, has studied the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s 2007-2001 evaluation of Thailand’s weak and strong points. Pattreya said success will come by companies emphasizing the kingdom’s uniqueness, culture and traditions.
However, she said, Thailand currently lacks clarity in the framework for policies and tactics required to develop a MICE industry network.
“All the kingdom has are certain strengths and opportunities, but lacks cooperation amongst the public and private sectors and collaboration from community,” Pattreya said.
To build a strong MICE industry, it is necessary to implement measures required to handle the higher level of competition to reduce costs in operation and increase efficiency, she said.
The MICE industry can clear the hurdles, Pattreya said, by rapidly increasing talent, developing operational networks and promoting cooperation among businesses and government agencies. If that is done, it will positively affect operational and business processes and Thai firms will have more ability to compete.
Pattreya suggested organizing international conferences aimed at building networks and promoting cooperation, especially in MICE cities like Bangkok, Pattaya and Chiang Mai.

THAI’s first 787 Dreamliner arrives home

A highlight of the day was the 30-metre long by 8-metre wide formation of the “787” identity by over 300 people from THAI management, staff and guests in front of the parked Dreamliner aircraft.

Thai Airways International Public Company Limited (THAI) recently welcomed the delivery of Flight TG8921, THAI’s first Boeing 787 Dreamliner, royally bestowed “Ongkharak”, with aircraft registration No. HS-TQA. The flight departed on 17 July 2014 from Boeing’s Everett Delivery Center in Seattle, Washington, USA for a non-stop, 15-hour flight to Suvarnabhumi Airport, Thailand, landing at 1642 hours.
At the touchdown welcome event at Suvarnabhumi Airport, THAI’s 787-8 Dreamliner taxied to THAI maintenance hangar, through a “water spray arch” by the airport authority. A highlight of the day was the 30-metre long by 8-metre wide formation of the “787” identity by over 300 people from THAI management, staff and guests in front of the parked Dreamliner aircraft.
On hand to welcome THAI’s first Dreamliner was Mrs. Petchpring Sarasin, Vice President of Corporate Image and Communications Department, who said, “It is an exciting time for THAI to bring a new aircraft type into the THAI fleet.”
This first 787-8 aircraft operated its first commercial flight on 25 July 2014 from Bangkok to Chiang Mai.
With the delivery of the second 787-8 aircraft, THAI will operate to and from Bangkok to Perth, Australia and Bangkok to Haneda, Japan sometime in September. THAI expects delivery of its third 787-8 in October and operate Bangkok-Narita, Bangkok-Kuala Lumpur, and Bangkok-Hanoi routes. The fourth 787-8 aircraft delivery is planned for December 2014 and will operate the Bangkok-Nagoya route. The remaining two 787-8 Dreamliner delivery is expected in the middle of 2015.
THAI’s B787-8 aircraft is equipped with the next-generation Rolls-Royce Trent 1000-AE engines. The culmination of advanced aerodynamics, and lightweight structures contribute to 20 percent reduction in fuel consumption and CO2 emissions, as well as less “roar” around airport boundaries and airport communities.
THAI’s Dreamliner interior is based on the Contemporary Thai design concept, with 264 seats in a two-class cabin. Each of the 24 Royal Silk Class seats is fitted with a 60-inch pitch and 21-inch seat width, and can recline to a 78-inch-long bed in full-flat, 180-degree position. The seats are shell-typed seats with a partition screen between seats, and arranged in a 2-2-2 abreast configuration allowing for privacy and easy access to the aisles.
Economy Class cabin and seating design are based on vibrant and energetic concepts. The 240 Economy Class seats are arranged in a 3-3-3 abreast configuration, and are designed in vivid gold and purple. Each seat has a 32-inch seat pitch and an 18-inch width.
THAI is proud to be the first 787-8 airline to install the newest in-flight entertainment system of its kind, the Panasonic system eX3, for all passengers on board its Dreamliner. Royal Silk Class monitors are 16-inch while Economy Class monitors are 11-inch with screen-swipe technology, just like the swipe features on smartphone and tablet devices.
Between July 2014 and June 2015 THAI will receive six Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft in its fleet.

Japanese bank says Asian economies confronting challenges

Bank of Japan Governor Haruhiko Kuroda.

Bank of Japan Governor Haruhiko Kuroda warns that although Asia’s regional economy has changed in a positive way, the region’s countries still are faced with three challenges.
In a speech entitled “Asia’s Contribution to Global Growth”, held by the Bank of Thailand in Bangkok yesterday, Kuroda said that the Asian economy now commands two-thirds of the global economy. While the economy in Asia has changed for the positive, it now depends more on domestic consumption instead of exports as before.
But the Asian region still confronts three challenges, including population growth and changes in the demographic structure, especially the problem rising aged populations which will pose more problems on financial matters and later to economic expansion.
Plans must be prepared to cope with the problems.
Monetary stability must be carefully monitored, he advised. Lending must not be allowed to grow too fast as it could lead to monetary crisis. Discipline must be applied, he said.
Kuroda said the discipline must be sufficiently stable to cater to economic problems from both within and outside each country as well as on cooperation among countries in the region.
Regarding Thailand’s economy, Kuroda said he found it to have strong resistance and flexibility. The economy in the kingdom could cater to problems which have occurred and the impact would not be too great, while Thailand’s economy could still expand in a sustainable way in the future as political developments have become more transparent. (MCOT)