FIRST-CLASS FACILITIES
TBY talks to Weerasak Kowsura, Board Chairman of the Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) & Board Chairman of Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration (DASTA), on the country's booming MICE industry and the benefits of community-based tourism.

BIOGRAPHY
Weerasak Kowsura serves as Chairman of the Thai Convention & Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) and Chairman of Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration (DASTA). He was formerly Minister of Tourism and Sports, Chairman of the Board of Sports Authority of Thailand, and of the Tourism Authority of Thailand. He was also Vice Minister for Culture and Vice Minister for Social Development and Human Security, once serving as Deputy Secretary General to the Prime Minister.What have been some of the key successes of TCEB in boosting Thailand's MICE industry?
We have been fortunate over the last three to four years to receive a large number of attendees for high-profile events here in Thailand, often attracting 50,000 visitors and above. One of the reasons for this is because we actively target corporate clients such as business leaders, executives, and board members from key multinational companies to persuade them to hold their meetings in Bangkok. It is not only about offering them first-class facilities; they also want to be on the ground and perhaps see how big the market is and what the potential for growth is. In particular, we target markets in southern China in line with the surge in visitors from there. From global economic forecasts, money markets grow quickly in this region and business naturally follows the money. We will also hold a number of large international conferences in Bangkok for niche sectors. In terms of exhibitions, as Thailand has great manufacturing capabilities, we are able to organize some of the largest and most respected exhibitions here. In the past few months alone, we have organized some major high-profile events for the packaging, gems, IT, and telecoms industries. At the same time, Thailand is renowned for its automotive and tourism-related exhibitions and these are held regularly here to the highest global standards, bringing in tens of thousands of international visitors.
What is the importance of community-based tourism, and why is it such a priority for the government?
We are situated in the middle of three of the biggest and oldest civilizations in the world: India, China, and the Khmer. These three civilizations, each over 1,000 years old, mixing together here has made our land one big melting pot over the past millennium, and gives us a unique culture and heritage to not only show the world but also to appreciate ourselves. Community-based tourism allows us to explore more about ourselves. For foreigners interested in exploring this rich heritage, the typical tourist packages fail to give them this experience. Packages are often fully prearranged, including accommodation, food, and other vendors, and there is little opportunity to actually explore. Community-based tourism takes a different approach; it allows visitors to really zoom in and experience the grassroots of the culture, mixing with locals, learning from each other, and sharing experiences. This is important for the country because it allows us to diversify our tourism mix; we can channel the record number of arrivals expected this year to different regions and experiences. More importantly, for the communities mentioned, it gives them a sustainable source of revenue and opens a whole new world of opportunities. This is where DASTA comes in.
What have been the key achievements of DASTA in supporting community-based tourism in Thailand?
Over the past decade, we have helped develop six regions across the country as community-based tourism destinations: Koh Chang, Pattaya, Sukhothai, Loei, Nan, and Suphan Buri. The goal of DASTA is not to change the community, it is to support regions if they wish to benefit from the boom in Thailand's tourism industry. After an area is designated directly by the cabinet, we create a master plan with the local community, a process that can often take many years to get right and make everyone happy. The relationship between the central government and local authorities is not always smooth at the beginning. Over time, we bring everyone together, including the local authorities, members of the community, and business people, and discuss ways to create opportunities for everyone. I can confidently say that in each of the areas we have developed, we are always welcomed in the end. Now we seek cabinet approval to also develop Chiang Saen in Chiang Rai province, and Cha-am and Hua Hin in Phetchaburi and Prachuap Khiri Khan provinces, respectively. Going forward, I see great opportunity for DASTA to expand its capability and serve each area of the country.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Review: Diplomacy
The Times are Changing
The West may have taken a dim view on the 2014 coup, but China has been less judgmental about Thailand's domestic policy and the two countries have grown closer over the past couple of years.The West may have taken a dim view on the 2014 coup, but China has been less judgmental about Thailand's domestic policy and the two countries have grown closer over the past couple of years.
read articleGuest Speaker
HE Maithripala Sirisena, President, Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka
TBY talks to HE Maithripala Sirisena, President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, on celebrating 60 years of relations with Thailand, boosting bilateral trade, and potential opportunities with the AEC.
read articleFocus: Special Economic Zones
Zone Home
With numerous upcoming major trade deals like the TPP and CAFTA, in addition to Thailand joining the ASEAN Economic Community, the country is developing a host of strategically located and incentivized SEZs to take advantage of the upcoming opportunities.
read articleFocus: Auto Sector
Driving Force
A combination of slower global economic growth and weaker domestic purchasing power suggests that Thailand's renowned automotive sector is heading for flat growth in 2016, thereby encouraging the government to promote cutting-edge innovation across the industry.
read articleFocus: Gems & Precious Stones
Shine Bright
As a key driver of the economy, Thailand's vast manufacturing sector comes in different shapes and sizes—and colors, for that matter. One segment to have really emerged as a sparkling export opportunity over the past two decades has been the country's gems and precious stones industry.
read articleInterview
Dr. Pichet Durongkaveroj, Minister, Science and Technology
TBY talks to Dr. Pichet Durongkaveroj, Minister of Science and Technology, on the initiatives to boost innovation in the country, facilitating greater private investment, and fostering mutually beneficial partnerships with countries.
read articleFocus: E-Commerce
Down the Wire
In 2014, when Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba made headlines for listing the largest global IPO in history (USD25 billion), many had come to recognize that the industry, which was typically dominated by Silicon Valley heavyweights, was gravitating drastically eastward.
read articleInterview
Anantachai Kunanantakul, Chairman & CEO, Siam Eastern Industrial Park (SEP)
TBY talks to Anantachai Kunanantakul, Chairman & CEO of Siam Eastern Industrial Park (SEP), on the development of the park, the benefits on offer, and plans to further develop the country's eastern seaboard.
read articleInterview
Kan Trakulhoon, Head of Working Group , Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC)
TBY talks to Kan Trakulhoon, Head of Working Group of the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), on the background of the EEC project, the government's push to build up infrastructure in the country, and his projections for the coming year.
read articleFocus: Water Shortage
A Drop At a Time
In 2016, many Thai's across the Kingdom will be looking out for weather forecasts—rather than economic ones—as the key indicator for the country's economic sustainability. Water is becoming an increasingly precious global commodity as populations and temperatures increase.
read articleReview: Education
Many Brains to Gain
Thailand has long suffered from an ineffective education system, with a large number of dropouts and graduates not equipped to deal with the demands of the 21st century. However, the government has been taking actions in a bid to get serious about much-needed education reform.
read articleInterview
Weerasak Kowsura, Board Chairman, Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (TCEB)
TBY talks to Weerasak Kowsura, Board Chairman of the Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) & Board Chairman of Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration (DASTA), on the country's booming MICE industry and the benefits of community-based tourism.
read articleInterview
Proudputh Liptapanlop , Executive Director, Proud Real Estate
TBY talks to Proudputh Liptapanlop and Pasu Liptapanlop, Executive Directors of Proud Real Estate, on the company's development plans for Hua Hin, the prospects of the industry, and their expectations for the future.
read article