On a trip to Chiang Mai with TCEB in October 2014, I had the pleasure of visiting the new Chiang Mai International Convention and Exhibition Center in the Chang Phuak sub-district of the Muang district.
Arriving here, I could not help but notice that the entire infrastructure of this convention centre was very impressive and more importantly, systematic and clean.
In total, about three billion Thai baht was used to construct the convention centre, which is a 10-minute drive from the city of Chiang Mai. I would say that the money was well spent judging from the overall finishing.
While MICE in Thailand is growing at a steady rate over the last few years, there has been a huge increase in MICE tourism here.
According to the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB), revenue from MICE is expected to increase by 10 per cent to THB4.24 billion in 2014 and the number of MICE travellers will grow by 5 per cent.
Chiang Mai has also become a favourite destination for international business events. The Chiang Mai International Airport allows for easy access to this part of Thailand, and in 2012 the city played host to nearly 500 MICE functions and 47,000 overseas business travellers.
In total, there are 33,000 premium-class hotel rooms and a wealth of modern business facilities, the northern city is well-equipped to handle the high-volume of visitors. Below are various photographs that were taken during my visit here.
Chiang Mai International Convention Center Photos
Dubbed as the largest convention and exhibition centre in Southeast Asia, this space comes with a total area of 521,600 square meters and can seat up to 10,000 people.
The massive place is decorated by the unique Thai-Lanna style and is ready to cater to both national and international conventions, exhibitions and fairs.
The centre is also equipped with modern facilities and professional services therefore it is also suitable to host world-class international MICE events.
Arriving here, I could not help but notice that the entire infrastructure of this convention centre was very impressive and more importantly, systematic and clean.
In total, about three billion Thai baht was used to construct the convention centre, which is a 10-minute drive from the city of Chiang Mai. I would say that the money was well spent judging from the overall finishing.
Chiang Mai International Convention and Exhibition Center
While MICE in Thailand is growing at a steady rate over the last few years, there has been a huge increase in MICE tourism here.
According to the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB), revenue from MICE is expected to increase by 10 per cent to THB4.24 billion in 2014 and the number of MICE travellers will grow by 5 per cent.
Chiang Mai has also become a favourite destination for international business events. The Chiang Mai International Airport allows for easy access to this part of Thailand, and in 2012 the city played host to nearly 500 MICE functions and 47,000 overseas business travellers.
In total, there are 33,000 premium-class hotel rooms and a wealth of modern business facilities, the northern city is well-equipped to handle the high-volume of visitors. Below are various photographs that were taken during my visit here.
Chiang Mai International Convention Center Photos
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| The main entrance to the convention centre |
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| Inside the Chiang Mai International Convention and Exhibition Center |
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| An exhibition and expo going on during the time of my visit here |
The massive place is decorated by the unique Thai-Lanna style and is ready to cater to both national and international conventions, exhibitions and fairs.
The centre is also equipped with modern facilities and professional services therefore it is also suitable to host world-class international MICE events.
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| One of the exhibition halls here |
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| Walkway of the meeting and function rooms |
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| One of the smaller meeting rooms |
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| VIP room at the Chiang Mai Convention and Exhibition Center |
During my visit here, there was a massive science trade fair and exhibition going on and we took our time to explore the many facilities around the centre.
The Chiang Mai International Convention and Exhibition Center is composed of two main buildings which are the SMEs building and main exhibition and convention hall.
The main exhibition and convention hall is a large 2-story building with three main services including exhibition halls, convention halls and meeting rooms.
The exhibition hall also comprises three interconnected multi-purpose halls with a combined space of 7,935 sqm.
For outdoor events, there is a 7,443 sqm multi-use outdoor space which is designed to accommodate the need of all type of outdoor events and activities here.
Ratchaphruek Convention Hall
A more traditional yet modern function hall is the Ratchaphruek convention hall which provides a space of 3,400 square meters with a capacity of 3,000 seats. It is equipped with the latest state-of-the-art sound and lighting systems.
The main hall offers a variety of 29 meeting rooms with 100 to 700 seating capacity and supporting facilities such as restaurant and food court, V.I.P rooms, prayer room, high-speed wireless internet, built-in registration counters are provided.
Parking for over 3,000 vehicles is available to visitors around the area which can be put to other uses.
The Chiang Mai International Convention and Exhibition Center is composed of two main buildings which are the SMEs building and main exhibition and convention hall.
The main exhibition and convention hall is a large 2-story building with three main services including exhibition halls, convention halls and meeting rooms.
The exhibition hall also comprises three interconnected multi-purpose halls with a combined space of 7,935 sqm.
For outdoor events, there is a 7,443 sqm multi-use outdoor space which is designed to accommodate the need of all type of outdoor events and activities here.
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| Inside the convention centre |
A more traditional yet modern function hall is the Ratchaphruek convention hall which provides a space of 3,400 square meters with a capacity of 3,000 seats. It is equipped with the latest state-of-the-art sound and lighting systems.
The main hall offers a variety of 29 meeting rooms with 100 to 700 seating capacity and supporting facilities such as restaurant and food court, V.I.P rooms, prayer room, high-speed wireless internet, built-in registration counters are provided.
Parking for over 3,000 vehicles is available to visitors around the area which can be put to other uses.
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| The media FAM group at the Ratchaphruek Convention Hall |
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| Ratchaphruek Convention Hall visitor and guest meeting area |
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| Around the main hall area |
Chiang Mai MICE Plans
The cost of the entire project is known to be around Bt200 million which was originally Bt3 Billion. The project originally initiated in June 1996 and was completed and opened in May 2013.
The Thai government has very strong plans to develop Chiang Mai into a “MICE City” in the ASEAN region and use the convention centre to stimulate the local economy.
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| The main hall of the convention centre here |
The Thai government has very strong plans to develop Chiang Mai into a “MICE City” in the ASEAN region and use the convention centre to stimulate the local economy.
The Ministry of Tourism and Sports also believes that the centre would help expand the MICE industry in Chiang Mai by 10 per cent a year.
Conclusion
For me, having visited many international exhibitions and convention centres around Southeast Asia, this was indeed an eye-opener to me.
The sheer size and facilities are totally world-class and I can easily see Chiang Mai becoming the next top MICE destination in Asia.
You can also read about my Thailand Connect Bangkok FAM Trip with TCEB where we explored this amazing city for the many MICE related facilities.
You can also visit the official website on MICE and Business Events in Thailand if you are interested in getting more information.
Hopefully, your company will consider having an event or trade show at the Chiang Mai International Convention and Exhibition Center.
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| Layout plan of the convention centre |
For me, having visited many international exhibitions and convention centres around Southeast Asia, this was indeed an eye-opener to me.
The sheer size and facilities are totally world-class and I can easily see Chiang Mai becoming the next top MICE destination in Asia.
You can also read about my Thailand Connect Bangkok FAM Trip with TCEB where we explored this amazing city for the many MICE related facilities.
You can also visit the official website on MICE and Business Events in Thailand if you are interested in getting more information.
Hopefully, your company will consider having an event or trade show at the Chiang Mai International Convention and Exhibition Center.