Why Thailand

New Experiences

MICE travellers from around the world come to Thailand to experience the essence of Thailand, a destination that meets the desires of both business travel and tourism (Bleisure) in its 10 unique MICE cities: Bangkok, Pattaya, Chiang Mai, Phitsanulok, Khon Kaen, Udon Thani, Nakhon Ratchasima, Surat Thani, Phuket, and Songkhla. Many other locations have the potential to join this list including Sukhothai, Chiang Rai, Ayutthaya, Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Kanchanaburi, Buri Ram, Ubon Ratchathani, and Nakhon Sri Thammarat, with new experiences offered by these cities expanding the range of creative MICE experiences available for training and seminars, incentive programmes, international conferences and conventions, trade shows and exhibitions, mega events and festivals, social and environmental activities, CSR and team building. Other new experiential activities in local communities across the country also allow MICE travellers to learn about, and immerse themselves in, the unforgettable Thailand experience.

1. Seasonal Events, Festivals & Exhibitions

Sustainability Expo 2024 (27 September – 6 October)

The largest sustainability exhibition in ASEAN will be held from 27 September to 6 October 2024 at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre (QSNCC) under the theme of “Good Balance, Better World”, or “Sufficiency, Sustainability for the World”. The event brings together leading sustainability organisations from around the world and will feature a full-scale multimedia exhibition as well as discussion forums. More than 600 expert speakers and 400 sustainable business networks will participate in the event. Visitors will get to experience five multimedia zones, plus four activity zones promoting actionable solutions for our world, and international seminars on sustainable business practices.

More information: https://www.sustainabilityexpo.com/sx

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Credit: Sustainability Expo page

Farm Expo 2024 (3 – 6 October 2024)

The first-ever farming and agriculture business exhibition, Farm Expo, will be held in Halls EH98-99 at BITEC Bangna from 3 – 6 October. The theme of the expo is “Revolutionizing the Farming Business”. The event will feature more than 300 booths showcasing agricultural products, innovations, technology, and machinery and equipment. The event will provide a platform for suppliers to engage directly with farm owners and customers. Highlights will include the world’s largest durian preservation chamber which can handle one ton of durian, free drone-flying lessons with the Civil Aviation Training Institute, free soil testing from the Department of Land Development, the chance to win a Farm Expo Mystery Box, and lots more.

More information: https://farmexpo.co.th

Thailand Game Show (18 - 20 October 2024)

The largest gaming exhibition in Southeast Asia comes to the Queen Sirikit Convention Centre, Bangkok from 18 – 20 October. With its theme of “Legacy”, the event will bring Thai and international game developers together along with producers of gaming gear, and IT products from more than 50 leading brands. Feature activities will include: E-sports competitions; VTuber events; a cosplay competition; a Zone Zane Game Pavillion with popular games Tekken 8, DRAGON BALL: Sparking! ZERO, SUPERBOMBER MAN R2, and Fruit Ninja; plus more than 20,000 baht in total prize money on offer for each game. Thailand Game Show offers a complete experience for gaming fans, with everything from new games to experience, competitions to join, and the latest merchandise to purchase.

More information: https://www.thailandgameshow.com

2. New Places

Thai Taste Hub, Mahanakhon CUBE

This street food landmark in the heart of the Sathorn/Silom district of Bangkok can be found on the first floor of the Mahanakhon CUBE. The venue brings together leading Thai restaurants and Michelin-starred eateries, offered at affordable prices. The Thai Taste Hub features 13 iconic food stalls including Khao Ka Moo St. Louis, Pad Thai Fa Thalu, Kuay Jab Nai Ek, Rad Na Yod Pak 40 Bee, and Chumphon Patongko. The venue’s comfortable seating area is surrounded by colourful street art created by Thai artists with the specific intention of heightening the experience by allowing visitors to indulge in the art of cooking and contemporary Thai art. Thai Taste Hub is truly a creative hub in the heart of Bangkok’s business district.

More information: https://mahanakhoncube.com/th/thai-taste-hub-mahanakhon-cube

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Credit: Mahanakhon CUBE page

SRT Royal Blossom

The SRT Royal Blossom is the result of the meticulous refurbishing by Thai craftsmen of the Hamatsu train that was given to Thailand by Japan in 2018. The train’s interiors offer passengers modern amenities and spacious seating ideal for private groups or individual travellers, and the exterior has been restored in vibrant red with luxurious gold accents. The refurbished train commenced operation in August 2024 on the Bangkok-Kanchanaburi line, before adding the Bangkok-Hua Hin route a month later. It now operates morning and evening round trips on the two routes. The service has been enthusiastically greeted by passengers with tickets selling out for each trip only days after going on sale.

More information: https://www.facebook.com/pr.railway

Phu Phra Bat Historical Park

Located in the northeastern province of Udon Thani, the Phu Phra Bat Historical Park – Phu Phra Bat, a testimony to the Sima stone tradition of Dvaravati period - is Thailand’s newest World Heritage cultural site. It is Thailand’s fifth cultural heritage site and eighth World Heritage site overall. Located in the natural forest reserve in Ban Phue district, the park features a rocky plateau and rock shelters that date back 135 million years. The site contains evidence of human activity 2,500 – 3,000 years ago, as well as indications that it was the site of religious practices reflecting the early social development of people in the northeast region.

3. Foods

Panang

The rich and flavourful Thai Panang curry is renowned for its distinctive sweet and salty taste, derived from its blend of ingredients that includes dried chillies, kaffir lime leaves, coconut milk, coriander, cumin, garlic, lemongrass, shallots, and peanuts. Panang curry is usually stir-fried with meat - typically beef, chicken, or pork – until well combined. The word “panang” is derived from the ancient method of preparing a chicken by crossing (panang) its legs and standing it upright. Panang curry shot to international prominence when it was ranked #1 in online food site TasteAtlas’ list of the “100 Best Curries and Stews in the World.”

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Sai Ua (Grilled Pork Sausage)

This traditional northern Thai dish is made from pork mixed with curry paste comprised of dried chilli, garlic, turmeric, galangal, kaffir lime leaves, shallots, and seasoning. The combined mixture is stuffed into pig intestines, twisted into desired portion sizes, and grilled until crispy. Sai ua recently gained greater international notice when Nat Thaiphun, a Thai contestant on TV’s MasterChef Australia 2024, adapted the dish on the programme. She creatively combined sai ua with nam phrik num and a Scotch egg. The innovative fusion of cultures and flavours helped her win the competition.

Sticky Rice with Durian (Khao Niew Durian)

This popular Thai dessert combines the fragrant sweetness and richness of durian with the chewy stickiness of coconut sticky rice. The combination results in a perfectly balanced and unique flavour. To make sticky rice with durian, first cook the sticky rice until soft and tender, then simmer coconut milk until it reaches the desired texture. The thickened coconut milk is then mixed with the flesh of the durian to complete the dish. Today sticky rice with durian has been creatively adapted into a range of variations to meet the preferences of consumers.