4 billion baht plan means much more M.I.C.E
The deputy prime minister was welcomed by the Phuket Governor, Wichai Praisa-ngob and related officers at the Phuket Provincial Hall.
The Deputy Prime Minister said, “We have approved a budget of three billion baht for the MICE project, which is a part of the 150,000 billion baht ‘Strong Thailand’ project. I would like to see something of the same functionality and magnitude of the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center in Bangkok.”
The Treasury Department, whose responsibility this project falls under is currently trying to remedy issues concerning space and location and are discussing such issues with local developers and residents.
A particular concern is the fact the proposed site is right next to Maikhao’s National
Park and a decision must be made as to whether to incorporate the forest in the designs, “I can confirm 100% that MICE is going to happen in Phuket, but we must be careful with the design of the site, it needs to be functional, practical and beautiful, once we start it can’t be redesigned.”
The centre, which will be able to accommodate up to 4,000 visitors a time, is something that the President of Phuket Toursim Association, Somboon Jirayus believes is a positive step for Phuket, “It’s good that the government will support the project to build up Phuket’s MICE business, because this will be help develop tourism potential and expand the seminar market group.”
K Somboon said that although Phuket generates about 100 billion baht for the Thai economy, it always receives a small budget. He compares Phuket to a hard working animal that needs more treats.
Phuket’s MICE industry is under the responsibility of the Treasury Department and the assigned 150 rai will include a conference hall able to seat 4,000 people, a medium room for up to 2,500 people, and four small rooms for up to 500 people each. There will also be 20 smaller sized rooms for private seminars or meetings of 10-30 people.
Other facilities include a large car park for up to 450 cars or 30 buses. A 3-4 star hotel with 350 rooms complete with a luxurious swimming pool will also be on site.
Contractors are cuyrrently being sort for the construction of teh convention centre and, although the project is still in the design stages, it is estimated that it will be finished within two years.