Numerous individuals in Thailand are eagerly awaiting the decision on whether Phuket will be chosen as the location for the Specialised Expo 2028, as the concluding presentation and vote approaches.
The Thai representatives are scheduled to make their last argument to the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) on June 21.
Chiruit Isarangkun Na Ayuthaya, President of the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB), stated on Wednesday that the team will advocate for Phuket’s suitability to host the expo and ascertain the date of the voting to decide the successful candidate.
Thailand has proposed the theme “Future of Life: Living in Harmony, Sharing Prosperity” for the expo running from March 21 to June 20, 2028, which is estimated to require a budget of approximately 4.18 billion baht, he explained.
Anticipation is high for the event to attract around 7 million attendees from 106 different countries, he expressed. He also suggested that it could potentially create up to 50 billion baht in economic benefits.
Additionally, the expo is intended to play a significant role in Thailand’s strategy to enhance its healthcare and medical tourism sectors, with the resort island advancing to become a leading global city in these areas, Mr Chiruit outlined.
According to him, Phuket is one of the four cities in a tight competition in the final stage to host the 2028 expo. The other contenders that have made it this far are Belgrade in Serbia, Barcelona in Spain, and Minnesota in the United States.
“The final presentation isn’t something we are worried about, but rather the vote,” he stated.
He mentioned that more than 120 member countries of the BIE are set to cast their votes.
“Keep your fingers crossed and we will see if Phuket can win the selection or not.”
He also noted that the BIE’s selection committee previously visited Phuket to evaluate its preparedness for the selection.
Should Thailand be victorious in the vote, it will be the first Southeast Asian nation to host the expo to date.
The director of the TCEB’s southern region office, Pattanachai Singhavara, shared that a night reception is planned in Paris on June 16 for BIE member nations, and for Thailand to further assure them of Phuket’s readiness to become the host of the expo.
