Pattaya officials continued their efforts to prep city businesses for the coming ASEAN Economic Community, hosting another seminar, this time on economic analysis, creative industry and tourism services.
Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome opened the June 5 symposium at the Amari Orchid Resort & Tower, the second in a series of workshops on the 10-member economic bloc expected to take effect in December.
Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome opens the June 5 ASEAN Economic Community symposium, the second in a series of workshops on the 10-member economic bloc expected to take effect in December.
The seminar focused on how transportation infrastructure can support Pattaya’s economy, how the city can leverage increasing visits by movie-production companies to boost its economy and the government’s support of private investment in the city.
Vijit Nimitwanich, an academic with the Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning at the Ministry of Transport, took the podium first, noting that while the AEC is comprised of security, economic and socio-cultural parts, Pattaya has focused on just the economic aspects. He then provided attendees a primer on the AEC’s structure and mission before handing over the microphone to Terdchai Chuaybamrung, dean of the School of Tourism Management at the National Institute of Development Administration, and president of the Tourism Academic Association of Thailand.
He said Thailand’s preparation for the AEC has focused on three urgent topics: government restructuring, generating awareness of the AEC’s participation with people, and readiness preparation in the private sector and government.
Terdchai said Pattaya is Thailand’s leading attraction and an economic city earning a lot of the country’s income. Therefore, it is necessary that Pattaya be ready to support AEC membership.
It is essential for Pattaya to be ready for change and develop opportunities for economic growth and investment by studying plans to promote investment and tourism for entrepreneurs in the tourism and services industry, he said.
Basic infrastructure – transport by water, rail, and road – are essential in linking other countries, he said. Examples the dean cited included a ferry linking Samut Prakan, Pattaya and Hua Hin and the double-track freight-rail route planned by the government linking Laem Chabang with Myanmar.
Nattha Kosrihadej of the design and creative-business development department at the Thailand Creative & Design Center, said Pattaya is a location for the filming of 300 films a year.
This creative industry will add value to Pattaya ‘s tourism sector, she said.
The creative industry consists of movie, arts and design, music, and sports, which can be developed to be unique attractions for investors, professionals, and tourists.
Regarding cooperation in investment in the business-to-business sector, the AEC will be wide open for investors to get information on the business, policies, and economic development of Pattaya, which should generate cooperation and achievement in all areas, she said.
Events to spur such cooperation include Pattaya ASEAN Day held in August, public relations to make music and movie executives think of Pattaya and city-to-city events, she said.
