Thailand’s diverse treasures

Popularly known as the Land of Smiles, Thailand offers a variety of settings for MICE activities such as luxurious beachside resorts, city-centre hotels with lively nightlife and soothing rural retreats. Its diverse landscapes and attractions offer something for everyone.

The kingdom welcomed over 740,000 MICE visitors in 2010, according to statistics from the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau. It also hosted some 2,000 international corporate and non-corporate meetings as well as over 1,500 incentive travel groups.

As Arisara Thanuplang from Thailand’s Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) sums it up, Thailand is suitable for MICE travel due to four main reasons: variety of destinations, business opportunities, infrastructure and excellent hospitality.

Life’s a beach

Let us turn to the image of Thailand that most frequently comes to mind – sandy, white beaches with palm trees swaying in the breeze. It is little surprise that most of the country’s MICE facilities are situated near its countless gorgeous beaches such as Phuket, Pattaya, Krabi, Koh Samui and Hua Hin. These are attractive event venues that have become increasingly popular over the years due to their opportunities for both activities and relaxation.

Laguna Phuket, a destination resort of seven luxury hotel and villa properties on the northwest coast of the island, has been prominent in attracting growing numbers of international MICE visitors from both neighbouring countries and those further afield.

Angsana Laguna Phuket, opening in December 2011 after a major refurbishment, will offer nine meeting rooms and a marquee with a seating capacity of up to 1,000. All Laguna Phuket properties cater to bespoke MICE requirements. In addition, their Latitude facility, a 1,500 square metre marquee-style stand-alone structure overlooking one of their lagoons at the heart of Laguna Phuket, can be configured to accommodate events of various sizes.

Beachside locations like Phuket and Krabi are especially notable for their array of water activities that are ideal for team-building events. Kayaking along the beautiful limestone cliffs and caves at the world famous Phang Nga Bay would be the perfect way for employees to spend the day together as they would be working up a sweat paddling and enjoying the beauty of nature at the same time.

Another less strenuous activity would be chartering a sailboat or a luxury cruiser to go island hopping among the many beautiful islands of Thailand. A beautiful area for sailing and snorkeling would be in the south of Thailand, where employees can visit Coral Island, Phi Phi Islands and Racha Island on the same day.

Getting some greenery

Although Thailand is known for its beaches, there is another hidden side to the country that many are starting to discover as suitable MICE destinations. The verdant landscapes of Chiangmai, Chiangrai and Kanchanaburi, with their lush greenery and ancient temples are a peaceful respite from the fast-paced city life that employees are accustomed to. These idyllic locations are perfect for workers to unwind and take a break from the daily grind.

The Four Seasons in Chiangmai offers attractive MICE packages for companies to hold meetings at their tranquil and serene location overlooking terraced rice fields and the mountains in the beautiful Mae Rim Valley. Companies can choose to have their event indoors or outdoors. The Rachawadee Residence is a beautiful Lanna-style building that can host cocktails and receptions for up to 230 guests. Another option would be the Pool Terrace and Cocktail Lawn beside the lily pond that offer breathtaking views across the rice terraces.

An interesting team-building activity that companies can hold in the countryside would be Thai cooking classes. The Four Seasons Resort Chiangmai has a cookery school which offers guests a hands-on learning experience through a programme designed by the Resort’s culinary team. Employees would be able to bond with each other while creating mouthwatering Thai dishes such as kaow soi gai (Chiang Mai curry noodle soup with chicken) and tom yum goong (spicy prawn soup with lemongrass). There is an abundance of other cookery schools in Chiangmai as well, offering classes in rustic settings. Recommended ones include A Lot of Thai and Siam Rice Thai Cookery School.

Another more rigorous activity that companies can consider organising would be trekking trips to nearby jungles and villages to get a taste of rural Thai life. Tour operators such as Mellow Trek in Kanchanaburi are able to organise custom-designed tours for your employees ranging from adventurous overnight hikes, to family-friendly walks in the countryside.

Urban escapes

If you would like a location that is closer to exciting shops and nightlife, the glittery city of Bangkok is the answer. The bustling metropolis may not be the most scenic, but the capital city has world-class infrastructure that supports Asia’s best facilities and venues.

One five-star hotel that truly stands out is the Centara Grand at Centralworld, located within the central business district. It is the only fully integrated world-class convention venue, hotel and retail and leisure complex in the heart of Bangkok. The state-of-the-art convention centre can accommodate up to 6,000 delegates, and will be suitable for organisations intending to hold large-scale exhibitions and conventions.

Situated right next door, Centara Grand has 505 luxurious rooms and suites that would be suitable for incentive groups. If more accommodation is required, over 4,000 guestrooms are within a 15-minute walk of the centre. In addition, the Bangkok Convention Centre at Centralworld is also home to one of the largest shopping centres in Asia, ensuring that guests will never run out of things to do.

There are plenty of team-building activities that can take place in the lively city of Bangkok. A surprising way to get to know the city would be by bike. Grasshopper Adventures, a renowned biking outfit in Thailand, shows that there is more to Bangkok than congested traffic and high rise buildings. Companies who would like to have a custom tour can engage their services for a group bike ride along the city’s little-known back lanes and quiet streets. Meandering past temples and the Chao Phraya River, it is a lovely way for employees to bond while cycling and see a side of Bangkok that few have seen.

All in all, Thailand is an amazingly diverse country that has top notch facilities and venues to host MICE activities of every kind. Paired together with the famous Thai hospitality and service, you can be assured that Thailand is an ideal MICE destination that will deliver on its promise.