Before I begin, many of you may be wondering what MICE is in Thailand? To clarify this, it is a term used for Meetings, Incentives, Conferencing and Exhibitions, the acronym of MICE.
Thailand is also one of the sought-after MICE destinations in the world, offering visitors many locations and destinations to choose from islands to highlands and their vibrant cities rich with culture and heritage.
Thailand CONNECT: Business Events
In August 2014, the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau, TCEB, organised a familiarisation MICE trip to Bangkok and Chiang Mai under the branding of Thailand Connect - HIP and Heritage Business Events.
This trip saw various specialised media from around Asia attending to understand the MICE business in Thailand. The media fam trip is also supported by Thai Airways, the Department of Information, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and arranged by Bangkok Writer Media and PR Agency from Bangkok, Thailand.
 |
| Thailand Connect 2014. |
While MICE can be a niche subject to discuss, I made this article simple and friendly as I know, many general readers out there prefer to have simple layman's English to understand this tourism segment.
Thailand, one of the most exciting countries to visit in the world, offers various styles of business event trips as many international companies are seeking new experiences in business travel.
Bangkok Writer Media was in charge of the media for this MICE fam trip. Several writers and bloggers from around the region were selected to attend this trip which covered Bangkok and Chiang Mai.
As expected, everything was clockwork as soon as I landed there, and I was very impressed with how Bangkok Writer's PR consultant Sirima Eamtako and her team handled things.
Thailand Fast Pass Immigration Premium Lane
On my arrival at the Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok via Thai Airways, a team member from Bangkok Writer Media was already waiting at the baggage collection area to personally welcome us, where she directed us to the 'Fast Pass' immigration premium lane.
 |
| Arriving at the Fast Pass Immigration Lane in Bangkok. |
Thailand Fast Pass Immigration Premium Lane
On my arrival at the Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok via Thai Airways, a team member from Bangkok Writer Media was already waiting at the baggage collection area to personally welcome us, where she directed us to the 'Fast Pass' immigration premium lane.
This function is available for anyone coming to Thailand for any MICE event, provided the organiser arranges this beforehand with the relevant authorities.
The process is so quick, I was totally dumbfounded as usually, it takes forever to clear the main immigration counters here. So, two thumbs up for this Fast Pass Premium Lane Service at Bangkok Airport.
Travelling in style - Bangkok Police Escort.
I boarded the transport waiting for us at the main entrance and noticed a Thai police car in the front. Again, I was impressed that this was also arranged to shuttle us into the city, as everyone knows how notorious the Bangkok traffic can be. Police escort in Bangkok? One word - Awesome!
Driving on the main highways, the police escort paved its way through hundreds of cars that moved out of their way upon hearing the sirens blare as and when needed. Generally, we got to our destination, the Siam Hotel in the Dusit area, in record time! Two thumbs up again!
Checking-in with style - The Siam Hotel
Just out of the main city centre is The Siam Hotel, a suit luxury hotel located by the Chow Praya River in the Dusit district.
 |
| Thai police escort for the full experience. |
Travelling in style - Bangkok Police Escort.
I boarded the transport waiting for us at the main entrance and noticed a Thai police car in the front. Again, I was impressed that this was also arranged to shuttle us into the city, as everyone knows how notorious the Bangkok traffic can be. Police escort in Bangkok? One word - Awesome!
Driving on the main highways, the police escort paved its way through hundreds of cars that moved out of their way upon hearing the sirens blare as and when needed. Generally, we got to our destination, the Siam Hotel in the Dusit area, in record time! Two thumbs up again!
 |
| The Siam Hotel in Bangkok. |
Checking-in with style - The Siam Hotel
Just out of the main city centre is The Siam Hotel, a suit luxury hotel located by the Chow Praya River in the Dusit district.
Built-in the Art Deco style that resembles the early 1900s Bangkok era, the Siam offers luxurious suites and villas for business or leisure travellers seeking something different from your general 5-star hotels.
Here, guests are called by names, while the overall ambience is guaranteed to impress anyone who enters this urban luxury resort.
On my first impression, I assumed this place to be a private mansion cum antique museum as where ever I set foot on the premises, there was some form of a relic of antique to be discovered.
On my first impression, I assumed this place to be a private mansion cum antique museum as where ever I set foot on the premises, there was some form of a relic of antique to be discovered.
This reminded me of the Tugu Hotel in Bali when I stayed there in 2011. The owners cleverly blended art deco with antiques and an overall colonial look to give the place an exciting and interesting perspective. The Siam Hotel is also owned and run by the well-known Sukosol family since 1973.
Siam Hotel Suites - Designed for design lovers
As I checked into my Siam Suite, I was very impressed with the unit's layout, divided into three main areas - Welcome area, bedroom and bathroom.
 |
| Siam Hotel Suit. |
Siam Hotel Suites - Designed for design lovers
As I checked into my Siam Suite, I was very impressed with the unit's layout, divided into three main areas - Welcome area, bedroom and bathroom.
You can be assured of space as this lot takes up 860 square feet, complete with a king-sized bed. The welcome area serves as a guest area where you can comfortably entertain two people.
 |
| Siam Hotel Bathroom. |
There were his-and-her sinks with full wall mirrors on opposite sides where if I were to walk from one end to one end, it would take at least 10 general steps.
So impressed with the layout of the room; I totally missed the sweet and beautiful welcome gift and note placed on the bed. It was a hand-crafted and painted Thai elephant welcoming the Hip and Heritage Business Events media group. Everyone received one, and each was a different design. A very nice touch, I have to admit.
A Thai Cooking Class? - Why not!
Heading to the riverside section of the Siam Hotel, a Thai cooking class was prepared for the delegation at the Chon Thai Restaurant.
So impressed with the layout of the room; I totally missed the sweet and beautiful welcome gift and note placed on the bed. It was a hand-crafted and painted Thai elephant welcoming the Hip and Heritage Business Events media group. Everyone received one, and each was a different design. A very nice touch, I have to admit.
 |
| Trying a Thai cooking class. |
A Thai Cooking Class? - Why not!
Heading to the riverside section of the Siam Hotel, a Thai cooking class was prepared for the delegation at the Chon Thai Restaurant.
The local master chef had prepared three cooking stations, and we were broken into three teams. Our mission - is to cook some authentic Thai food.
First on the menu was the world-famous Thai Spring Rolls, something I love to eat in Thailand, so this was my chance to make my own!
 |
| El Kwang is at work. |
Teaming up with fellow blogger Chee Ching from Malaysia, we got down and dirty making those Thai Spring Rolls from scratch and deep frying them before garnishing them.
The fastest and the best cooking would get a prize from Sirima Eamtako, PR Consultant of Bangkok Writer Media and PR Agency, so teams were pretty psyched to claim that mysterious trophy.
Next was Pad Thai, everyone's favourite Thai dish. As for me and Chee Ching, the cooking style reminded us of Fried Kuay Teow from Malaysia, so it was pretty easy.
The fastest and the best cooking would get a prize from Sirima Eamtako, PR Consultant of Bangkok Writer Media and PR Agency, so teams were pretty psyched to claim that mysterious trophy.
Next was Pad Thai, everyone's favourite Thai dish. As for me and Chee Ching, the cooking style reminded us of Fried Kuay Teow from Malaysia, so it was pretty easy.
Ultimately, the trophy went to MiceNet Asia's El Kwang and his team, who were quick in the kitchen!
But then again, it was all about good fun and not competition. All the media then sat down to eat their creations for lunch, mind you.
 |
| Team Malaysia's Pad Thai dish, alright too! |
Overall, the three teams' cooking results were almost similar, as the ingredients used were identical. Just the technique used and how long you were stirring the dish.
Asiatique Riverfront - Bangkok's Entertainment Spot
Our next destination in the evening was the famous Asiatique Riverfront, acclaimed as Bangkok's top entertainment place and the first biggest lifestyle project in Asia on the banks of the Chao Phraya River.
 |
| Asiatique Riverside, Bangkok. |
Our next destination in the evening was the famous Asiatique Riverfront, acclaimed as Bangkok's top entertainment place and the first biggest lifestyle project in Asia on the banks of the Chao Phraya River.
The Asiatique was once an old riverside factory warehouse district where back in the early 1900s, this was the main pier that exported teak wood to the world.
Now, these multiple massive warehouses have over 1500 boutique-style shops that sell all sorts of decorations, nick-nacks, fashion, souvenirs and art.
The area is also divided into four central districts: Charoenkrung District, Town Square District, Factory District and Waterfront District, where each of these districts has its own speciality.
As for dining, there is a huge international selection of restaurants and cafes to choose from, where there are 40. Even bars and pubs are available for entertainment, and there is the famous Muay Thai Live show, the first of its kind in the world.
 |
| Asiatique briefing by the management. |
A live performance of the traditional martial arts of Muay Thai made into a theatre-style performance. This show is highly recommended for anyone visiting Asitique.
Other shows include Calypso Cabaret - a unique cabaret show; Asiatique Sky, the Mehkong Wheel, a giant Ferris Wheel overlooking the Chow Praya river and the entire area; YMax Read 4D, a 4-Dimension cinema and a Siam River Cruise.
Currently, Asiatique utilises 12 acres of its 28.8-acre land space. In future, a hotel and other themed attractions are to be added.
Currently, Asiatique utilises 12 acres of its 28.8-acre land space. In future, a hotel and other themed attractions are to be added.
 |
| Asiatique at night in Bangkok. |
The management gave us an overview of Asiatique, where they aimed to cater to all kinds of leisure and business tourism, mainly because the place was huge and accommodating.
For your added information, you should also know that over 20,000 people visit Asiatique on a typical day, whereas on weekends or public holidays, the place packs in a whopping 40,000 people. The place opens fully in the evenings; therefore, visiting here after 5pm is best.
A Puppet Show for Dinner - Joe Louis Restaurant
After exploring Asiatique and riding the Mehkong Ferris Wheel (the largest in Thailand), our dinner was arranged at the Joe Louis Restaurant, where the latter is famous for its unique traditional puppetry. Officials from TCEB joined us for dinner; therefore, we got to mingle and network during dinner.
A special puppet show was also performed for us, and as this was my first time seeing a traditional Thai puppet show, I never expected three people to operate one puppet. These Thai puppets were huge, almost human, and the movements were very detailed and precise.
The Joe Louis puppet show was themed around a traditional Thai story based on the ancient Thai characters used. For a first-timer, I was very impressed with this show during our dinner. And the puppeteers even went around from person to person for a photo opportunity.
For your added information, you should also know that over 20,000 people visit Asiatique on a typical day, whereas on weekends or public holidays, the place packs in a whopping 40,000 people. The place opens fully in the evenings; therefore, visiting here after 5pm is best.
 |
| Joe Louis Restaurant and Puppet Show at Asiatique. |
After exploring Asiatique and riding the Mehkong Ferris Wheel (the largest in Thailand), our dinner was arranged at the Joe Louis Restaurant, where the latter is famous for its unique traditional puppetry. Officials from TCEB joined us for dinner; therefore, we got to mingle and network during dinner.
 |
| Christian and I are being mobbed. |
The Joe Louis puppet show was themed around a traditional Thai story based on the ancient Thai characters used. For a first-timer, I was very impressed with this show during our dinner. And the puppeteers even went around from person to person for a photo opportunity.
You can see from my expression in the photo above how excited I was when they brought one of the puppets around to me. Below is a photo of the traditional Thai starters served before our dinner here.
Muay Thai Live - A must-see show in Bangkok
Who would have thought that the ancient art of Muay Thai could be made into a theatre-styled show? Something very different, this was a show I could not miss - actual Muay Thai fighters are the main lineup of characters in this show, and the storyline goes from the beginning of Muay Thai history to current day Muay Thai.
I will keep everything private as it would be best for you to see it live in action. A lot of action, I promise! Tickets are reasonably priced at around THB1200 to 1500 per person, depending on the seating area.
Finally, our Hip and Heritage entourage was treated to a photo opportunity with the entire cast of Muay Thai Live outside the theatre. You can see that everyone wanted a photo with the cast in the photos. Even I had my chance to 'strike-a-pose' with one of the main cast.
Conclusion on Day 1
Our day ended with lots of excitement in sight, sound and taste. Amazing visuals from the many places we visited, beautiful sounds of Bangkok city and stunning selections of local Thai food throughout the day.
 |
| Thai starters at Joe Louis Restaurant. |
I will keep everything private as it would be best for you to see it live in action. A lot of action, I promise! Tickets are reasonably priced at around THB1200 to 1500 per person, depending on the seating area.
Finally, our Hip and Heritage entourage was treated to a photo opportunity with the entire cast of Muay Thai Live outside the theatre. You can see that everyone wanted a photo with the cast in the photos. Even I had my chance to 'strike-a-pose' with one of the main cast.
Conclusion on Day 1
Our day ended with lots of excitement in sight, sound and taste. Amazing visuals from the many places we visited, beautiful sounds of Bangkok city and stunning selections of local Thai food throughout the day.
I looked forward to the second day as we had an official press conference and briefing about Hip & Heritage Business Events, MICE in Thailand, represented by TCEB, Thai Airways International and the Department of Information and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at The Siam Hotel.
HIP & Heritage Business Events Press Conference 2014
The day started out great as I had breakfast at the Chon Thai Restaurant overlooking the Chow Praya river before the Thailand Connect 2014 press conference started at 10.00am.
 |
| During the TCEB Press Conference. |
HIP & Heritage Business Events Press Conference 2014
The day started out great as I had breakfast at the Chon Thai Restaurant overlooking the Chow Praya river before the Thailand Connect 2014 press conference started at 10.00am.
The invited VIPs arrived when we took our positions at the U-shaped conference seating before an introduction was done by Sirima Eamtako before handing the session to Mrs Supawan Teerarat, who is the vice-president of strategic planning and business development of TCEB.
Simplified, the press conference showcased Thailand as a preferred MICE destination with offerings of MICE destinations to the highlands, islands and beaches to the cities rich with culture and heritage. Bangkok is the capital and offers the most facilities, while the partnering destination was Chiang Mai up north in Thailand.
Simplified, the press conference showcased Thailand as a preferred MICE destination with offerings of MICE destinations to the highlands, islands and beaches to the cities rich with culture and heritage. Bangkok is the capital and offers the most facilities, while the partnering destination was Chiang Mai up north in Thailand.
The number of MICE visitors was also growing where. Thailand targets to welcome 888,210 MICE travellers in 2014, which will generate earnings of US$ 2.9 billion for the country.
A statement by Mrs Supawan Teerarat, vice-president of strategic planning and business development of TCEB, also mentioned, "The perfect business event starts with a brilliant blend of local activities and dream destinations.
 |
| Mrs Supawan Teerarat hands over a bouquet of flowers to Mr. Sek Wannamethee from the ministry. |
TCEB designed Thailand CONNECT: Hip & Heritage Business Events Program to demonstrate how Thailand's unique attributes enable us to host any business event in every season here in Thailand.
In another statement, Mr Sek Wannamethee, who is the director-General of Information and Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, emphasised;
In another statement, Mr Sek Wannamethee, who is the director-General of Information and Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, emphasised;
"The situation in Thailand is now peaceful and secure, as reflected in the satisfaction of the ordinary citizens and the business community; therefore, it is now the perfect time to showcase Thailand's strong fundamentals and resilient economy".
Thailand CONNECT: Hip & Heritage Business Events Program, aims to conceptualise the MICE business events groups looking to offer delegates an enchanting mix of modern and traditional experiences across two of Thailand's premier MICE destinations: Bangkok and Chiang Mai.
Thai Airways was also a part of this fam trip, where they assisted in flying in the media from around Asia. The airline also let us experience the local domestic flights from Bangkok to Chiang Mai and back via Thai Smile, their low-cost airline.
The Thailand CONNECT: Hip & Heritage, Business Events Program forms a part of Thailand's MICE UNITED, a strategic partnership program designed to reinvigorate the country's positive image and reaffirm confidence among the international business community.'
Conclusion to Thailand CONNECT: Business Events
To learn more about Thailand CONNECT the World for MICE, you can visit Business Events Thailand. "Thailand CONNECT the World" is also an initiative of the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB), the Thai government's official flagship body for the business events sector.
To learn more about Thailand CONNECT the World for MICE, you can visit Business Events Thailand. "Thailand CONNECT the World" is also an initiative of the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB), the Thai government's official flagship body for the business events sector.