Page 23 - TICA Membership Directory 2016-2017

INFRASTRUCTURE

Thailand has a sound and always improving Hub
infrastructure for foreign investment. There are
integrated and modernised transport facilities as A fast growing highway system connects not only
well as upgraded communications and IT networks. every province in Thailand, but also to neighbouring
All of this and more ensures optimum business countries Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam. The network
and living conditions. Numerous state-of-the-art covers over 70,000 kilometres and follows the left hand
industrial estates boast sophisticated facilities and side rule of the road. Most are single carriageways.
superior services. The country also offers seven international airports,
modern city-wide mass transit in Bangkok via the BTS
The past 20 years has seen Thailand develop the and MRT networks. Plans are being undertaken to
facilities, personnel, infrastructure and crucially, expand the two systems further into the suburbs.
the experience to become a recognised leader in the
international Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Further strengthening the transport infrastructure in
Exhibitions (MICE) industry. The five major venues for Thailand are ambitious plans to build and develop new
exhibitions and conferences in Bangkok, in addition high speed trains and add more connecting routes
to those in Pattaya, Khon Kaen, Hat Yai and Chiang around the country. A number of future lines are
Mai, have all hosted many planned with Bangkok being the
successful and prestigious core focus because of its central
domestic, regional and position. A projection for the year
global events. These have 2017 suggests that demand for
been complemented by ridership of high speed trains
the very latest technology in all routes would be as high
and communications as 153,000 trips per day. Two of
equipment. This has been the most significant future lines
allied to a well-established include Bangkok to Chiang Mai
MICE supplier sector which in the west with a targeted travel
includes PEOs, PCO’s time of 3.5 hours and Bangkok to
contactors, freight forwarders Rayong in the south east with a
and event organisers. journey time of one hour.

Economic development For another means of
continues to be strong and transportation, there are six
with equally solid support modern and well-equipped deep
industries. Thailand’s sea ports and two international
industrial production has river ports including containers,
grown and diversified tank farms and liquid jetties.
exponentially in recent years, both in the long Because of its significant location in the center of
established and newly emerging industries.
Asia, Thailand is a major aviation hub with Bangkok’s
The Thai government has placed emphasis on Suvarnabhumi Airport being the main entry point.
attracting investment in six key areas which have Suvarnabhumi Airport handles flights from over 100
been determined as fundamental to the country’s airlines and provides easy connections to most of the
developmental aims. world’s major cities. Current capacity is around 45
million passengers a year. Thai carriers provide links
These six targeted industries include: alternative from Bangkok to 26 destinations in Thailand, none
energy, agriculture and agro-industry, electronics, more than one-hour’s flight away.
automotive and ICT fashion, and value-added services
such as entertainment, tourism and
health care.

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TICA MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY 2016 - 2017