Despite more rivals, TCEB confident of winning
Although the countries bidding to host the World Expo 2020 have grown from two to five, the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) is confident that Ayutthaya remains the top choice.
The decision will be made by the Bureau of International Expositions (BIE) in November 2013.
The initial candidates were Turkey’s Izmir and Thailand’s Ayutthaya. Now Russia’s Yekaterinburg, Brazil’s Sao Paolo and the United Arab Emirates’ Dubai have presented themselves as potential organisers.
Russia’s fourth-largest city Yekaterinburg has offered the theme of “Global Mind: Uniting all Humanity in a Single Conversation”, anticipating 30 million visitors during the event, expected to held from May 15 to October 30, 2020.
The largest city in Brazil promises to stage the biggest event ever – bigger than China’s Shanghai World Expo 2010 – with 18 million visitors from May 15 to November 14. Sao Paolo’s theme is “Power of Diversity, Harmony for Growth”.
Dubai introduced itself to the BIE general assembly last month as the city with a world-class aviation hub, claiming that 90 per cent of total connecting flights go via Dubai International Airport. Its theme is “Connecting Minds: Creating the Future”.
Turkey’s Izmir hopes to win the chance to welcome 39 million visitors during the show from April 30 to October 31 under the “New Route for a Better World: Health for All” concept.
TCEB president Akkapol Sorasuchart said yesterday that he strongly believed that Thailand still stands a chance of clinching the bid with its strong theme and positioning as the centre of the Asean region.
From November 21-22, the TCEB attended the BIE general assembly in Paris. Before the 158 BIE member countries, the bureau portrayed the unity and resolve of the Thai people to restore the ancient city of Ayutthaya, which has been proposed as the venue for this world event.
The TCEB also proposed themes for side-events under the overall concept of “Redefine Globalisation: Balanced Life, Sustainable Living”, and highlighted progress in the awareness-building campaign for Thailand’s bid. The bureau expects to welcome 37 million visitors during the event.
The four side themes are “Revive Local Wisdom for Global Wellness”, “Reunite Connections for Seamless Harmony”, “Reinvent Creativity for All Living Beings” and “Reform Life’s Value for Utmost Happiness”.
During the meeting, Thailand also updated the delegates on its public-awareness effort, including a national logo and mascot competition, and the “World Expo 2020: Believe in Thailand” event held in Bangkok recently. During that event, 100,000 signatures of Thais were collected as a sign of support for the country’s bid to host World Expo 2020.
