Vimolrat Singnikorn
Chonburi Gov. Wichit Chatpaisit has called on Banglamung
District officials to gather local business and community leaders to polish
up the province’s bid to host the 2020 World Expo.
Chonburi Gov. Wichit Chatpaisit is pushing harder to promote Banglamung as
the host for the 2020 World Expo.
Hoping to cement a win over competing Chiang Mai and
Ayutthaya, Wichit said a panel of local experts is needed to complete
Chonburi’s bid. The Banglamung panel will be able to best describe how the
Word Expo can be organized and hosted in the Pattaya area, he said.
Consultancy AECOM Co. has been hired by the Thai Cabinet
to vet the three cities and weigh which city offers the best chance of
providing a successful, well-attended expo. Echoing the sentiments of his
predecessor Senee Jittakasem, the new governor said Chonburi offers the best
transportation links, has the most experience in hosting large numbers of
tourists and has a well-known global reputation.
“If the Banglamung District was selected to be the host
of World Expo 2020, apart from raising Thailand’s reputation
internationally, it would reflect Chonburi’s readiness in transportation,
communications and as a tourist destination,” Wichit said.
Thailand will compete against Australia, Brazil, Canada,
China, Denmark, France, Philippines, Turkey, United Arab Emirates and the
United States to be the host of the expo, which is held every five years.
The winner will be announced by year-end.
If awarded to Chonburi, the expo would be staged on
1,200-1,500 rai of land next to Thammasat University. That property
currently is home to the Bira International Circuit race track.
Chiang Mai, meanwhile, plans to integrate the World Expo
with its famous Chiang Mai Zoo, while Ayutthaya would house the event at the
city’s Vocational Training Centre.
