CHIANG MAI’S long-deferred convention and exhibition centre (TTG Asia e-Daily, April 11) will finally open its doors in July next year, according to Thailand’s Ministry of Tourism and Sports.
Construction delays have hampered the launch of the state-funded MICE facility, which will comprise a 10,000m2 exhibition space and a 3,000-seat convention hall.
The ministry’s permanent-secretary, Sombat Kuruphan, said construction of the buildings would be completed by December 16, followed by about six months of interior design and landscaping work.
The MICE centre will occupy a 52.16-hectare plot in Chiang Mai, and will comprise 55,076m2 of indoor and 364,549m2 of outdoor space.
The ministry intends to contract a professional venue management company to run the venue.
So far, NCC Management & Development and IMPACT Exhibition Management have expressed their intention to bid for the contract. NCC manages four MICE venues in Thailand, while IMPACT owns and manages one.
