TCEB, DOH AND MICE OPERATORS EXHIBIT HEALTH READINESS OF THAI MICE INDUSTRY AFTER PHASE 4 EASING ALLOWS MICE TO RESTART WITH NO LIMIT ON SIZE AND ATTENDANCE

TCEB, DOH AND MICE OPERATORS EXHIBIT HEALTH READINESS OF THAI MICE INDUSTRY AFTER PHASE 4 EASING ALLOWS MICE TO RESTART WITH NO LIMIT ON SIZE AND ATTENDANCE

18 June 2020, Bangkok: TCEB, in collaboration with Department of Health (DOH) and Thai MICE venue operators, is exhibiting the readiness of Thai MICE industry to host ‘new normal’ events under strict hygiene and safety criteria of the Ministry of Public Health. To ensure clients of safety and road to recovery of Thai MICE industry, TCEB and DOH are visiting BITEC to inspect their health readiness for the first B2C trade show to be held on 27 June. The positive sign for business follows the fourth-phase easing of lockdown measures effective on 15 June, allowing MICE to operate with no limit on size and maximum attendance. 

Besides BITEC, TCEB and the DOH plan to conduct inspection at other MICE venues around Bangkok namely: Centara Grand & Bangkok Convention Centre at CentralWorld; Hyatt Regency Bangkok Sukhumvit; Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 2; Chatrium Hotel Riverside Bangkok; Royal Paragon Hall; and Samyan Mitrtown. In the beginning of June, the team made the inspection at the IMPACT Exhibition and Convention Center, Muang Thong Thani. The inspection will also be conducted in MICE Cities including Pattaya, Chiang Mai, Khon Kaen, and Phuket. 

Mrs. Supawan Teerarat, Senior Vice President for Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (Public Organization) or TCEB, said that in response to the fourth phase easing of restrictions on businesses and activities, TCEB takes a pro-active approach to support health readiness of Thai MICE operators and enhance understanding of the government's health safety criteria for MICE events. This includes MICE Venue Hygiene Guidelines, jointly developed by TCEB and MICE stakeholder associations, which resulted in winning the government’s approval to allow the restart of MICE with no limit on size and maximum attendance.  The guidelines are in line with hygiene and public safety established by the Ministry of Public Health. MICE operators across the country can now adopt these practices and move forward their business at the earliest opportunity.

“MICE and event businesses in Thailand are entering a significant transformation period. Moving into the new normal environment, the supply chain of the industry must be prepared for changes in different aspects.  The key is to ensure both service operators and visitors of the venue's hygiene and safety. Therefore, cooperation among stakeholders, including venue operators, organisers, and event attendees, is essential. Besides, public and private sectors must work together to ensure that businesses are conducted under the government's guidelines which will enhance confidence in Thailand's MICE business and ensure that the industry can move forward with stability and safety.”

In the lead up to the reopening of MICE business under the fourth-phase easing of lockdown measures, TCEB joined a committee, established by the Thai government, to outline measures and practices guidelines in preparation for the restart of business, tourism and sports activities. The objective is to promote the hygiene and safety criteria as preventive measures against COVID-19 for MICE operators and public venues. Besides, the bureau joined a sub-committee working closely with the private sector and the Ministry of Public Health to draft the reopening guidance for business and MICE activities and proposed to the government to ensure that the industry has a clear operating standard to enable infection-proof business events.

The stakeholder associations who contributed to the guidance are Thailand Incentive and Convention Association (TICA), Thai Exhibition Association (TEA), Event Management Association (EMA) and Thai Hotels Association (THA). The guidance was later adopted by the Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) and incorporated into the public health criteria developed by the Department of Disease Control (DDC), as well as health measures of the Department of Health (DoH).

“Conducting a site inspection at BITEC, TCEB together with the Department of Health, Ministry of Public Health, aim to inspect the venue's readiness which is in line with CCSA's criteria of COVID-19 preventive measures for MICE venues. There are two main areas for the inspection are: venue operator's readiness in terms of management, and the inspection of service providers, including operators, employees, and end-users. The inspection is aimed at building confidence for organising MICE events and improving a better understanding on the operational principles for all related parties to ensure that MICE events can run smoothly in accordance with the government's economic stimulus policy as well as public health and welfare measures,” said Mrs. Supawan.

Dr. Panpimol Wipulakorn, Director General of Department of Health, Ministry of Public Health, said that “The government and the Department of Health recognise the importance of MICE industry as one of the key sectors that propel the country's economy. The department has been collaborating with a network of associate partners to raise the hygiene standards for the MICE industry by focusing on the hygiene and safety of venues and equipment, as well as protection measures for staffs, event organisers, and event attendees. Also, the department has been monitoring and guiding practices for MICE venues under the new normal to enhance confidence for MICE operators and event attendees toward a balance of economic development and public health protection.”

Ms. Panittha Buri, Managing Director of Bangkok International Trade & Exhibition Centre or BITEC, said that for over the past 2 decades, Bangkok International Trade & Exhibition Centre or BITEC, has conducted the business as a leading provider of exhibition centre that is certified with TMVS standard (Thailand MICE Venue Standard) for a long period of time. BITEC has been regarded as one of the best providers of exhibition centre in the Asia-Pacific region, expanding the total of area from 35,000 sqm. to 70,000 sqm. Due to COVID-19 pandemic, BITEC has taken 6 preventive measures as follows: 1. Adopting Thai-Chana registration points 2. Locating screening points in access area 3. Limiting 1 person per 4 sqm. 4. Spraying the germs in the hall 5. Promoting the physical distancing 6. Advertising and PR in organization before getting ready to reopen in June. Bangkok International Trade & Exhibition Centre or BITEC is the pioneer in the adoption of preventive measures of COVID-19 pandemic according to the government policy.

“BITEC adopts preventive measures of COVID-19 pandemic to build visitors’ trust. We raise the standard of safety with the so-called “ANTI COVID Zone” concept. For example, we use the technologically-advanced UVC innovation that has competence in killing the COVID-19, germs and bacteria in the air surface. Moreover, we take a sanitizing and disinfecting spray measurement all over the exhibition hall with screening point, Thai-Chana registration point and hand sanitizer services throughout the hall. Visitors can be ensured of the hygiene and safety in BITEC area as we strictly conduct the guidelines in accordance with Department of Disease Control, and the policy of the Ministry of Public Health,” said Ms. Panittha.

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For further information, please contact: Corporate Image and Communication Department 

Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (Public Organization)   


Ms. Parichat Svetasreni Tel: +66 2 694 6009   Email: parichat_s@tceb.or.th

Ms. Kwanchanok Otton Tel: + 662 694 6000   Email: kwanchanok_o@tceb.or.th

Visage Company

Ms. Yuphaporn Lertsattakit Tel: + 662 616 6749- 50