Page 30 - ADT JULY - AUGUST 2022 Online Magazine

'Thailand 4.0', which includes the development
of an aviation hub in the Eastern Economic
Corridor (EEC). With the EEC as Thailand's new
centre for industrial investment and U-Tapao
airport's upgrade to become Bangkok's third
international airport, the air show will be a
catalyst for the growth of Thailand's civil and
commercial aviation industry.

"As Thailand recovers from the impact of [ COUNTRY FOCUS THAILAND ]
COVID-19, we believe that large-scale, high-pro-
file, international events such as the air show
will not only give our economy a boost but
also give our manufacturers and service pro-
viders a very targeted platform to showcase
their specialised capabilities. We know there
are extraordinary business opportunities to be
construct the submarine, planned to use an engine from MTU found in our aviation, aerospace, and logistics
Friedrichshafen, a major German engine manufacturer. However, sectors under 'Thailand 4.0' and the Thailand
a Thai media news report revealed in February that Germany had International Air Show will be a key event for
refused to ship the engine to China and that the shipbuilder had investors from around the world." The Thailand
stopped constructing the submarine. International Air Show will be held every two
years at U-Tapao International Airport near

In response to the report, the German Embassy in Thailand issued Pattaya and has been scheduled for 2027,
a statement earlier in February explaining that China had not told 2029, and 2031. The show will include a con-
Germany before concluding the contract with Thailand that the ference, an indoor exhibition, static and aerial
engine would be used in a submarine. displays of aircraft, and receptions. The EECO
is the official organiser of the show, and is sup-
Local Manufacture ported by TCEB and the Royal Navy of Thailand
Thailand has been aiming to transition away from an import- in the working committee. TCEB will be respon-
based defence procurement model towards a resilient, indigenous sible for marketing and public relations, both
defence industrial base. Only in the recent years, however, has this domestically and overseas, to raise awareness
ambition started to take noticeable form, with the release of the and attract potential exhibitors.
Modernisation Plan: Vision 2026. The MOD’s Defence Technology
Institute (DTI) is now actively seeking indigenous defence export TCEB will also plan a series of activities from
growth and defence industry reliance by inviting proposals for busi- 2023 through to the opening date of the show.
ness partners on four joint development and production projects: In the announcement stage from 2023–2025,
offshore patrol vehicles, 4x4 light tactical vehicles, unmanned aerial TCEB's 'Road to Air Show' project will familiar-
vehicles, and weapons-ammunitions. ise domestic entrepreneurs and businesses to
the concept of the air show and how they can
First Airshow benefit from it. During this period, TCEB will
Thai Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-ocha has approved the also organise the 'Aviation & LOG IN Week', a
proposal for the Office of the Eastern Economic Corridor to organ- roadshow to the EEC where meetings, exhibi-
ise Thailand International Air Show at U-Tapao International Airport tions, and mega events in related sectors will
near Pattaya in 2027.Thailand International Air Show, initiated by be held in the same location around the same
Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB), was approved time. The soft launch of the air show will take
during the meeting of the Eastern Economic Corridor Office of place in 2025 in the form of press conferences,
Thailand (EECO) held on March 9, 2022 and chaired by the Thai academic conferences, and participation in avi-
Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-ocha. The EECO's approval ation-related trade shows worldwide before the
led by the Prime Minister is equivalent to a cabinet resolution. The full show starts in 2027.
proposal for an air show of this scale was the first of its kind initiated
by TCEB. The recommendations were based on a series of fea- It is expected that the planned full show in
sibility studies and consultations conducted by TCEB since 2018. 2027, 2029 and 2031, when combined with
the soft launch to be held twice during 2023
TCEB President, Chiruit Isarangkun Na Ayuthaya, said that the and 2025, is expected to attract some 75,000
approval from the government for Thailand to organise the first participants, contribute 4,777 million baht to
Thailand International Air Show is a testament to the potential the GDP, create 18,760 jobs, and generate
for business events to drive Thailand's economic transformation. 1,788 million baht in tax revenue, added TCEB
The air show is an expression of the progress we are making on President.

30 | July/August 2022 WWW .GBP .COM.SG/ ADT