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Nothing quiet about MICE in Thailand

Sanctuary of Truth in the pink for breast cancer awareness campaign

Nothing quiet about MICE in Thailand

Sector roars ahead

Narisa Nitikarn

Thailand’s burgeoning MICE, or meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions sector was amply showcased during the IT & CMA/CTW Asia Pacific 2005 exhibition and conference staged at PEACH, at the Royal Cliff Beach Resort, from October 11-13.

Darren Ng, managing director of TTG Asia Media Pte Ltd at the press conference.

The event, which brought together MICE and corporate planners, buyers and exhibitors from the region and beyond, along with worldwide media, is one of the fixtures on the travel industry calendar, although this is the first time it has been held at Pattaya. Bangkok has been the venue on three separate occasions before.

A press conference was staged on October 11 with speakers including Darren Ng, managing director of organizers TTG Asia Media Pte Ltd, Malinee Kitaphanich, director of the Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau, and Pridi Boonsue, vice president for marketing development at Thai Airways International.

Veng Sereyvuth, chairman of Cambodia’s National Tourism Authority opens the dinner at Dusit Resort Pattaya.

Pridi said that Thai Airways is determined to promote Thailand tourism by implementing group package tours and will place emphasis on low periods such as during the rainy season. Once Suvarnabhumi Airport does open then it is anticipated more tourists will flock to Pattaya.

Peerapong Oeusoonthornwattana, director general of the Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau said that the exhibition and conference was being attended by an estimated 1,500 representatives from 39 Asia Pacific countries that were focused on the MICE sector, and that consequently Thai business operators had an excellent opportunity to meet key overseas players.

United Airlines received the Best North American Airline Award from TTG Asia Media Pte Ltd.

MICE business in Thailand has been growing strongly in recent years, with a large increase in venue capacity, better infrastructure, and more high quality hotel rooms becoming available. Although the focus is naturally on Bangkok, there is now a very strong interest in Pattaya, which has been growing alongside the capital in terms of what it can offer visitors.

Industry estimates are that the MICE sector will see a 25 percent increase in Thailand in 2006, with large conventions covering professions such as medicine and scientific specializations in addition to the organization of large trade fairs.

The official opening ceremony of IT & CMA/CTW Asia Pacific 2005 took place at Alangkarn Theatre with Deputy Prime Minister Suwat Liptapanlop presiding. Pisit Boonchuang, deputy governor of Chonburi, Mayor Niran Wattanasartsathorn, and Peerapong Oeusoonthornwattana, director general of the Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau also attended.

Other than the official opening ceremony, hotels readied to welcome the attendees. Hard Rock Pattaya and Dusit Resort organized major parties, and a surprise guest at a presentation staged by Cambodia was the nation’s Princess Norodom Rattana Devi.

Vanida Tulalamba (left), executive vice president of NCC Management & Development Co. Ltd. and Kietisak Tulalamba enjoy the hor d’ouvres at the Alangkarn Theatre.

(From left) Nathalie Pedestarres of Spain Travel & Business Magazine, Pridi Boonsue, vice president marketing development and support department of Thai Airways International, and Sascha Horn, Anzeigenleitung director sales and marketing of CIM Conference & Incentive Management at the Alangkarn Theatre.

(From left) Peerapong Oeusoonthornwattana, director general of Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau, and Suos Yara, deputy secretary general senior task force coordinator of Cambodia National Tourism Authority (CANTA) at the dinner at Dusit Resort.

(From left) Darren Ng, managing director of TTG Asia Media Pte Ltd, and So Mara, under secretary of state, Ministry of Tourism of Cambodia.

(From left) Paul Jensen OAM, principal of Jensen Consulting, Selina T W Chan, director Asia Pacific Kuala Lumpur Malaysia of Jensen Consulting, and Kerri McNamara, publisher’s representative of BT Publishing, are all smiles at Alangkarn Theatre.

(From left ) Prapee Buri, deputy managing director of BITEC, Charu Bhatnagar, manager of incentives & conferences for KTC Grand Tours, and Shivangi Yadav, associate editor of Durga Das Publications Private Limited at the Alangkarn Theatre.

Mayor Niran Wattanasartsathorn (middle left) with Darren Ng, managing director of TTG Asia Media Pte Ltd (next to the mayor) presents 14 Travel Agent Awards for Best Travel Agency.

(From left) Anthony Lim T W, managing director of Anthony Tours & Travel Agency Sdn Bhd, Sheikh Jamaluddin Sheikh Mohamed, director of Brunei Tourism, and Maung Maung SWE, president of SM Tours & Transport Co Ltd. chat at the Alangkarn Theatre.

(Middle right) Suwat Liptapanlop, deputy prime minister presided over the official opening ceremony with Peerapong Oeusoonthornwattana, director general of Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau at the Alangkarn Theatre.

Sunthorn Suree, Emirate Airlines general manager for Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos, accepts the Best Airline Award from Darren Ng, managing director of TTG Asia Media Pte Ltd.

The drum show from Cambodia moved the audience.

The Pisces show, part of the 12 zodiac predictions for 2006 held at Dusit Resort Pattaya, organized to welcome attendees.

The beautiful Apsara dance from Cambodia.

Cancer, one of the 12 zodiac predictions for 2006 show at Dusit Resort Pattaya.


Sanctuary of Truth in the pink for breast cancer awareness campaign

Narisa Nitikarn

Pink was the color at the Sanctuary of Truth in Naklua on October 3, when Ampornpim Vajarabhaya, managing director of ELCA (Thailand) Ltd helped organize the Global Landmark Illumination project in order to raise women’s awareness of breast cancer.

Elca transformed the Sanctuary of Truth into a pink palace.

Attending the event were Chanyuth Hengtrakul, MP for Chonburi Zone 6 along with doctors specializing in breast cancer treatment and many well-known faces from the world of stage and screen. Co-spokespersons for the event were Pattaya na Nakorn, Nakwan Raiyananon, Thiyada Pannabua, Sornram Theppithak and Yupapak Watcharapai.

This year even more pink areas will be marked around the world to show that the number of women suffering from breast cancer is increasing. If that is gloomy news it is, however, encouraging that fewer are actually dying from the disease.

Ampornpim said that in many areas around the world pink structures are being erected at famous landmarks as part of the illumination campaign, including the Tokyo Tower in Japan, and the Niagara Waterfalls in Canada.

Welcome speech by Ampornpim Vajarabhaya, managing director ELCA (Thailand) Co Ltd.

Thailand chose the Sanctuary of Truth as its campaign location because of the beautiful hardwood architecture and the atmosphere of happiness and dignity. The ELCA Company is in the process of building a website to raise awareness of the fight against breast cancer.

Dr Chatree Banchuen, director general of the Department of Medical Service said that breast cancer is not only restricted to women but men can also contract the disease. It is important for people to undergo regular checks for an earlier diagnosis and treatment, and to reduce the possibility of women having to lose their breast.

(From left) Chanyuth Hengtrakul, MP for Chonburi Zone 6, Dr Prasat Hotarapawananon, deputy director of Department of Medical Service and Dr Chatree Banchuen, director general of Department of Medical Service.

Most patients dying from breast cancer do so because they do not pay attention to the early warning signs their bodies give them. It is not always cancer when a lump is found in the breast – it can be an abnormal growth that will go away by itself. Dr Chatree recommended a check up every year.

New York-based Estee Lauder International Inc, together with its affiliate companies on over 40 countries, has been organizing annual events in October under the Pink Ribbon campaign since 1996 as an attempt to encourage women all over the world to be aware of the breast cancer threat, and conduct self examinations or get regular checkups for early detection and treatment, which will reduce the risk of fatalities. These activities also aim to raise funds for the National Cancer Institute.

The theme for this year is “Turn Up the Heat”, where the Pink Ribbon, the campaign’s symbol, has been color-enhanced to reflect the intensity of the campaign, which has resulted in a drop in fatalities.

Beautiful dancers put on a show before the pink lights light up the Sanctuary of Truth.

(Right to left, back row, starting from 3rd right) Chanyuth Hengtrakul, MP for Chonburi Zone 6, Dr Prasat Hotarapawananon, deputy director of the Department of Medical Service, Dr Chatree Banchuen, director general of the Department of Medical Service, Ampornpim Vajarabhaya, managing director ELCA (Thailand) Co Ltd, and Dr. Thiravud Khuhaprema, director of the National Cancer Institute of Thailand, have their photo taken with the stars of stage and screen.