Thailand clinches six conventions in July

Among the new wins are the 46th World Congress of the International Society of Surgery, to be held in 2015, and the World Conference on Health Promotion and Education, to be held in 2013. Both are for Bangkok and will bring 2,500 delegates each.

"The new wins are well-distributed throughout Thailand, in Bangkok, Pattaya, Chiangmai - that's a good sign," said Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) president, Akapol Sorasuchart, who is in Singapore to urge planners to "Believe in Thailand".

Singapore MICE arrivals have been on a decline since 2007 (45,033 visitors) to 39,389 last year. Akapol said the figure was rising 20-25 per cent up to the Bangkok protests in May. TCEB is now aiming to maintain last year's level from Singapore with the "Believe in Thailand" roadshow and its Extra Value campaign that packs more value on top of perks already given by the existing Thailand Maximise.

Akapol said Singapore planners should Believe in Thailand as many others already do, pointing out that 400 meetings and incentives with 71,000 delegates, 50 conventions with 35,000 delegates, and 74 exhibitions with over 25,000 delegates, are continuing to be held in Thailand from June to December.

(Sources: Raini Hamdi, reporting for TTGmice, Singapore, TTGAsia)