Pattaya and Chonburi officials greeted the head of the group behind the World Expo with drums and elephants as they continue their bid to win the 2020 fair.
Chonburi Deputy Gov. Pongsak Preechawit, Pattaya Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome and Kampol Tansajja, director of Nong Nooch Tropical Garden welcomed Bureau of International Exposition Secretary-General Vicente Gonzalez Loscertales to the area Jan. 13. Whilst here, he was entertained by long-drum dancers and 19 elephants and toured Chonburi’s proposed World Expo site.
Pongsak told Loscertales that Chonburi has the best transport infrastructure of the three Thai provinces seeking to host the expo. It offers seven highway routes into the area and access to two international airports. There are also seaports in Sattahip and Laem Chabang, he said.
Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome presents the key to Pattaya City to Bureau of International Exposition Secretary-General Vicente Gonzalez Loscertales (left).
Itthiphol added that the area has 1,500 rai of land near Thammasart University’s Pattaya campus and another equally sized plot near Siam Country Club where the expo could be hosted. The city, as a major tourist destination, already has the accommodations and tourist attractions to handle expo crowds. The mayor added that bringing the World Expo to Pattaya would have a hugely positive effect on the job market and generate huge income for the area.
Loscertales said Thailand, whether it be Pattaya, Chiang Mai or Ayutthaya, appears to have the capacity to host the fair. All three provinces would be studied in depth again before a decision is made, he said. As for Pattaya, he said he’d heard much about the city and was pleased to have finally made the visit here.
Thailand’s convention and exhibition bureau has been studying each province’s bid to host the Expo and will make its recommendation next month.
