According to a statement from Thailand’s foreign affairs ministry, the country is completely ready to host the Phuket Expo 2028 as the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) General Assembly voting in France on June 21, 2023, approaches.
The Thai cabinet approved investing 4.18 billion baht in 2021 to promote Phuket as the location of the Specialized Expo 2028. Thailand is currently one of the final 5 contenders for hosting, along with the United States, Argentina, Serbia, and Spain. The 124 countries that make up the BIE will vote.
Thailand is a candidate to host the Specialized Expo 2028 in Phuket, with a 100% eco-friendly event organization and the theme “Future of Life: Living in Harmony, Sharing Prosperity”.
Due to its uniqueness and accessibility of everything, as well as its prominence as a major tourist destination with a complete infrastructure, Phuket was chosen as a possible venue for the event.
Thailand will pledge to develop sustainability with three goals in mind: to become a hub for medicine by housing the International Research and Development Center; to have a sustainable park ecology; and to have the infrastructure necessary to facilitate the organization of diverse events.
Phuket will develop into an international health hub and top-tier medical tourism destination, according to Cherdchai Chaivaivid, director general of the Department of International Economic Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand. Each finalist nation has its own strengths, which poses a significant challenge, according to Cherdchai. As a nation that the international community has regarded as not experiencing bilateral relational conflicts, he thinks Thailand has its own advantages. As a result, we can consider this aspect to be positive.
The fact that Thailand is the only contender in Asia this year and the first candidate from Southeast Asia will be a compelling and competitive factor for BIE to take into account, said Cherdchai.
He emphasized that being a candidate will benefit Thailand whether Phuket is selected or not because a Public, Private, People, and Partnership program is in place to transform Phuket into the world’s most sustainable city, not just the resort island. Whether Thailand is selected or not, this initiative will continue.
“Regardless of the outcome of the vote. This bid will be advantageous to Phuket. These advantages would enable Phuket to thrive and meet its objectives of being Southeast Asia’s medical hub and a platform for sustainability, Cherdchai continued.
According to the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB), hosting the event, which is expected to draw 4.92 million participants from both Thailand and outside, will generate more than 49.2 million Thai Baht in revenue and more than 113,439 new jobs.
If everything goes according to plan, the exhibition will be held in Phuket Province’s Thalang District on a 22.56-hectare site from March 20 through June 17, 2028.
