TCEB TO IMPLEMENT ‘THAILAND MICE ONE STOP SERVICE’ WITH COLLABORATION FROM MFA, AOT & IMMIGRATION BUREAU

 The Service will Facilitate MICE Travellers to Respond to Government’s Policy 

15th July 2024: TCEB is ready to implement the ‘Thailand MICE One Stop Service’ through collaboration with 3 partner agencies, including the Department of Consular Affairs, Airport of Thailand Public Company Limited and Immigration Division 2, by facilitating the entry of MICE travellers into Thailand. The service responds to the government’s policy in expediting Thailand as the destination for business events and international festivals to stimulate the economy.   

Mr. Chiruit Isarangkun Na Ayuthaya, President, Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (Public Organization) or TCEB, disclosed that following the urgent policy of Thai government in expediting Thailand as the centre of global exhibitions and festivals to generate revenue and stimulate the economy, as well as to facilitate the entry into Thailand for business travellers and event visitors, TCEB, as a government agency with the mission to serve as the National Bidder representing Thailand, is prompted to implement the policy. The mechanism that TCEB and partner agencies from public and private sectors have jointly established is the ‘Thailand MICE One Stop Service’, which aims at the facilitation of MICE industry. 

The role and duty of ‘Thailand MICE One Stop Service’ is to facilitate the entry into Thailand of foreign MICE travellers to minimise procedures and time used in important processes, including VISA application, immigration and greeting upon arrival at the airport, as well as to facilitate the collaboration in the import of materials, equipment and tools for organising the events in Thailand. 

The implementation of ‘Thailand MICE One Stop Service’ is partly consisted of the facilitation of entry for foreign VIP guests at the airport or ‘MICE Lane Service’, which is currently available at Suvarnabhumi Airport and Don Mueang Airport. In 2023, there were 211 events requesting MICE Lane’s services to serve 6,684 MICE travellers. In the first six months of 2024 (January-June), 160 events have requested to use MICE Lane’s services to serve 9,701 MICE travellers. 

In regard to respond to the government’s policy, TCEB is expanding the services of MICE Lane to Phuket and Chiang Mai International Airports, which are Thailand’s key MICE Cities. This year, MICE Lane might be available temporarily, but will be permanently operating next year. In 2026, MICE Lane will be available at Udon Thani Airport to serve travellers visiting the International Horticultural Expo. 

The collaboration with 3 partner agencies is intended for the preparation for the hospitality for VIP guests who will be visiting a series of events that TCEB has played a vital role in bringing into Thailand in the next 2-3 years, for example, the IDF World Diabetes Congress 2025, the IMF-World Bank Group in 2026, the Global Sustainable Tourism Conference or GSTC 2026 with more than tens of thousands of visitors. 

Moreover, there are upcoming mega events that TCEB is currently in the process of bringing into Thailand in accordance with the government’s policy, such as the Formula E competition in Chiang Mai, the Formula One competition, the WorldPride 2030, etc. 

Mr. Worawoot Pongprapapant, Director-General, Department of Consular Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, mentioned that the Department of Consular Affairs is pleased to facilitate visa processing for MICE visitors and organisers. The e-Visa system service will be expanded to all Thai embassies and consulates by the end of 2024. In addition, measures and practices of visa approval will be redefined to promote tourism and stimulate the economy. I am certain that the aforementioned measures will be able to serve and facilitate more MICE travellers entering into Thailand. 

Mr. Kerati Kijmanawat, President, Airport of Thailand Public Company Limited, said that AOT, as the operator of 6 major airports, including Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, Chiang Mai, Mae Fah Luang-Chiang Rai, Phuket and Hat Yai, is considered the gates that are open wide to welcome international tourists into Thailand. AOT is delighted to facilitate and collaborate with related agencies in providing support in terms of receiving MICE travellers and global events. AOT will spare spaces in passenger terminal buildings, necessary facilities, and public relations for MICE events in order to ensure convenient and fast travel experience. All of which can help to promote and enhance the growth of Thailand’s MICE industry. AOT will co-ordinate to bring more journeys to Thailand by which will attract capital inflows to the country, as well as generate revenue and respectively stimulate national economy. 

Police Major General Choengron Rimpadee, commander of Immigration Division 2, mentioned that the Immigration Bureau operates in accordance with the government’s policy, basing on 3 major measures as follows: 1) Measures on visa exemption and extension of period of stay according to the government’s policy under the determination of nationalities eligible for visa exemption for tourism or work/business for a short period of 60 days with the extension of stay of 30 days upon request, the latter of which is announced for eligible countries alongside the newly added countries. The new visa scheme will be effective from 15 July 2024, which includes the approval of Visa on Arrival (VOA) and the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV); 2) Screening measures using the technology to enhance convenience under the principle of security, the Advance Passenger Processing System : APPS, designed to enable advance investigation and screening from the country of origin to indicate whether the passenger has any arrest warrant or is considered a person prohibited by the Immigration Act, the future development of automatic passport control lanes for Thai and foreign passengers holding E-passports; 3) Measures on the management and addition of manpower at all checkpoints during peak hours and the collaboration with TCEB to arrange specific lanes for MICE travellers. 

“Facilitating the immigration processes involves the tasks responsible by several parties, including TCEB and 3 partner agencies, which are the Department of Consular Affairs, Airport of Thailand Public Company Limited and Immigration Division 2. Therefore, we declare our readiness and send a signal of confidence to global markets that Thailand has properly prepared for MICE events and MICE travellers. TCEB is absolutely ready to ensure that the holding of events in Thailand will be the most seamless experience.” concluded Mr. Chiruit.