TCEB launches pilot project on “Smart Village” to boost more corporate outing activities in domestic destinations

Bangkok - Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (Public Organization) or TCEB announced the latest cooperative project so-called “Smart Village” to encourage the corporate market to organise more company outing activities in different provinces across the country. The bureau said it has partnered with four large corporations conducting a pilot program in four model communities, while eleven start-up companies have participated in the mission to develop the digital platform to share the experiences and promote the local identities. The activity is part of the bureau’s task to enhance the country’s MICE industry which helps to generate sustainable economic development in the local economy. It is also a stage to encourage the growth of start-up business, recognised as one of the significant clusters under the government’s Thailand 4.0 Policy.

Mr. Chiruit Isarangkun Na Ayuthaya President of TCEB said that, in response to the strategic partnership under The Royal Thai government’s Pracharath Policy that emphasises on strengthening the economic foundation of local communities. TCEB, a public organisation that is tasked with promoting and developing business events in Thailand, commenced the ‘Smart Village’ project to encourage the private companies to organise their corporate outing and CSR activities in different parts of the country. The project is aimed to promote MICE activities in those great potential provinces, apart from the MICE cities (Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket, Pattaya and Khon Kaen). In nationwide, there are many emerging destinations with great potentials, for example, authentic cultural identity and outstanding local products, which could be developed into MICE products and services. These features can add more value and help to generate a sustainable income to the communities. The Smart Village project engages key stakeholders, Public-Private-People, which is in line with the Pracharath Policy. Also, it encompasses innovation and technologies, recognised as the country's development tools under Thailand 4.0 Policy.



TCEB has identified four model communities for the Smart Village project. They are located in the target areas for MICE development. Each community can cater corporate's outing activities, with a capacity of 20 participants in minimum. Above of all, they show great potentials which can be developed as the Smart Village project in four dimensions. Firstly, Smart Culture, an aspect of what makes their culture dynamic or a blend of the tradition and innovation in the way that creates a new charm of the community. Secondly, Smart Community, the ability to adapt and utilise innovation as a tool to enhance the cooperation among stakeholders. Thirdly, Smart Experience, the ability to offer a new experience or create a new approach to re-introducing a traditional experience. And lastly, Smart MICE, the ability to conduct activities which demonstrate their potential and readiness to serve the MICE customers. It includes the creativity in developing new experience as well as the use of innovation as a tool to promote the community as the attractive destination. Meanwhile, the four chosen model communities are 1.) Suan Phueng Community in Ratchaburi Province 2.) Pak Phraek Community in Kanchanaburi Province 3.) Doi Mae Salong Nok Community in Chiang Rai Province and 4.) Wang Nam Khiao Community in Nakhon Ratchasima Province. Also, TCEB had invited alliances from the private sector to join the project; the four leading corporations are Krungsri Finnovate Co., Ltd., Tipco Foods Public Company Limited, TV Thunder Public Company Limited, and Advanced Info Service Public Company Limited. Furthermore, eleven start-up companies were invited to join this project to support the local communities with innovation and technologies. The significant part of the mission is to develop the community’s profiles in the “SMART” direction and attract the corporate market. This project is designed under the concept of “Co-Creation” which is a collaborative effort from all sectors. Of those alliances, four teams have formed to join the contest and create innovation to add value to the MICE industry. These teams are:

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