Remarks by H.E. Mr. Abhisit Vejjajiva,
Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand,
At the Meeting Planners Event in New York City,
Tuesday 22 September 2009 between 17.15 hrs. - 18.15 hrs.

Khun Vanida Dullalampa, Board of the Thailand Conventionand Exhibition Bureau,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

Thank you, Khun Vanida, for your summary report on this afternoon's discussions and for your efforts in organising this important meeting. Thank you also to all of you who, I understand, have travelled from near and far to take part and contribute ideas and opinions. I very much appreciate this opportunity to meet and share with you my views on the prospects for enhanced cooperation in the meetings and exhibitions industry between the United States and Thailand. I will try to keep my remarks brief so that we have time to talk. And afterwards, I will also take any questions and comments you may have.

I am convinced that our two countries can, and should, enhance cooperation between our respective meetings and exhibitions industries. The United States and Thailand are longstanding friends, with our friendship going back almost two centuries. And Thailand, or Siam as we were known back then, was the first country in Asia to have entered into treaty relations with the United States. Today, our relationship is based on mutual understanding and respect, constructive cooperation, and continued close friendship. Our people-to-people ties are healthy - an important basis for further enhancing cooperation.

For example, during the past few years, between 600,000 - 700,000 American tourists visited Thailand annually. And we have a large number of Thai students in the U.S. I would also like to reiterate the importance of our 176 years of friendship. Many of you are familiar with Thailand, and you would know that Thais are very service-minded people. Your businesses will help to enhance our people-to people ties, thus enhancing bilateral relations.

Making Thailand Your Meetings and Exhibitions Destination

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The economic and financial crisis is a challenge that has affected tourism in Thailand, in the same trend that global travel is down by around 20 percent. Being an important part of national income, we are on our way working for it to be back on the recovery path, through our measures and the stimulus package. The service sector still has many unfulfilled potentials.

Our meetings and exhibitions industry is one of the world's fastest growing, despite the current crisis. Every year, Thailand welcomes between 500,000 - 600,000 business travelers from around the world and we expect similar numbers for this year. We hold over 2,000 international meetings and exhibitions a year. We have a full exhibitions calendar. Hardly a week goes by where there isn't an exhibition somewhere in Bangkok. In fact, we were number one in Southeast Asia in terms of exhibition space sold last year. So the industry is a significant generator of income for our economy - especially important for these times of crisis. We should then encourage more meetings and exhibitions industry activity.

There are several reasons for why our industry is not only doing well, but also has the potential to do much better. First, Thailand has the infrastructure to serve the meetings and exhibitions industry. We have a host of international standard, state-of-the-art facilities in Bangkok and many other provincial centres.

Second, Thailand's location at the heart of Southeast Asia as well as the increasing road and rail linkages that criss-cross the region make us easily accessible. This connectivity also makes us a convenient gateway to other countries in the region and beyond to China in the North and India to the West. And the ASEAN Community of 600 million people that will be formed by the year 2015 should make this region a very exciting one filled with many fresh opportunities for all. I encourage you to use Thailand as a platform to reach out to the rest of the ASEAN region and beyond.

What is more, Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi International Airport offers efficient flight connections to all corners of the globe. And in a recent online poll of more than 8 million voters by smarttravelasia.com, our airport was ranked the #3 best airport in the world. So give our airport a try if you haven't already done so. In fact, starting this December and running through January 2010, our national air carrier Thai Airways will increase the frequency of its LA-Bangkok flights from the current five times a week to seven. There will also be other promotional campaigns.

Third, we have the a meetings and exhibitions industry with a proven track record. Among the more than 2,000 international events we hold every year are a number of major international meetings, some at the Heads of State and Government level. In October, we will be capping off our Chairmanship of ASEAN by hosting the 15th ASEAN Summit. And in 2011, we will be hosting the World Economic Forum regional event in Thailand.

Fourth, we offer professional service. An example of this is the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau, or TCEB. This is a government organisation with the mandate to enhance and develop the country's meetings and exhibitions industry. It is a coordinating body between the public and private sectors, and the country's meetings industry with the world. It's your one-stop service point for all meetings and exhibitions enquiries.

Fifth, our professional service is delivered with heartfelt Thai hospitality and our signature smile. We Thais pride ourselves on being a friendly and service-minded people.

Sixth - and I believe these to be real draws - we offer you the two "V's" - "Variety" and "Value for Money."

Giving Reassurance

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The new U.S. administration has announced its aim for reengagement with Asia.Secretary of State Hillary Clinton delivered to us the message that the U.S. was back and would be fully engaged with the ASEAN region. I urge that you consider taking a cue from Secretary Clinton and also renew your engagement with us. For our part, the Thai meetings and exhibitions industry can also take cues from you, as you are an industry leader.

I hope that I have made a convincing case for Thailand as a choice meetings and exhibitions destination in Asia. I hope to welcome you to Thailand in the future.

Government Spokesman Bureau
Foreign Relations Division