TCEB president MR Disnadda Diskul yesterday said Thailand's combination of four MICE sectors ranked fifth, down from the previous fourth place now lost to Malaysia.

Hong Kong, Singapore and Shanghai occupy the first three places respectively.

"We lost competitiveness to neighbouring countries including Malaysia last year because we are poor in human resource skills and management," said Disnadda.

He said the ranking was made by the World Economic Forum, which takes many factors into consideration.

Disnadda said the TCEB had adjusted its target this year from 800,000 MICE visitors to 750,000 due to the political uncertainty, unappealing tax structure, unfavourable visa rules - which do not support business travellers - and the high cost of importing exhibition equipment.

Thailand's main competitors in MICE - Singapore, Hong Kong and Malaysia - have eased these complexities.

However, the TCEB is trying to enhance competitiveness by setting up the "Thai Team", which consists of eight representatives from state agencies and the private sector, led by chairman Disnadda.

Among the other seven are: Rachane Potjanasuntorn, director-general of the Exports Promotion Department; Tharit Charungvat, director-general of the Public Affairs Department of the Foreign Ministry; Chavalit Sethameteekul, director-general of the Customs Department; and Phornsiri Manoharn, governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand.

The body aims to make Thailand a regional hub for MICE business in the long term.

Suchat Sritama

The Nation