The country’s centre of covid-19 situation administration which is the  body that oversees disease control measures and covid-19 policies, has approved TCEB’s proposal to allow MICE events to be held under covid free setting protocols.

This follows the government’s announcement on October 11 that fully-vaccinated overseas visitors will be allowed to enter Thailand without having to serve quarantine from November 1. The reopening, will begin, with a list of countries the centre of covid-19 situation administration considers low-risk, such as the United States, United Kingdom, China, Germany and Singapore.

Approval of TCEB’s MICE proposal was the result of the collaboration between the bureau with the department of health, department of disease control of the Ministry of Public Health, and 23 partner organisations, which include the Tourism Authority of Thailand, Thai Chamber of Commerce, Thai Exhibition Association, Business Creative and Event Management Association, and the Thai Hotels Association.

Under TCEB’s proposal, limits on a venue’s operating hours and number of attendees will be relaxed. Trade fair centres, convention centres, exhibition halls, and event spaces in hotels and department stores will be allowed to operate until 10.00 pm in all cities and provinces.

Number of attendees allowed however, will depend on the event site’s risk level of which there are five levels: maximum controlled and strict zone (highest risk); maximum controlled zone; controlled zone; high surveillance zone; and surveillance zone (lowest risk).

For maximum controlled and strict zone, the number of attendees allowed has been raised from 25 to 50 while for maximum controlled zone from 50 to 100 and controlled zone from 100 to 200. High surveillance zone is from 200 to 300. However, for surveillance zone, the number is maintained at 500.

This easing of restrictions will require venues and organisers to strictly follow a set of three covid free setting protocols covering the event environment, personnel and customers

TCEB’s proposal incorporating covid free setting is the first step towards reviving MICE in Thailand and the next step would be, for TCEB and its partners to push for further easing, especially for larger size events stated Mr. Chiruit Isarangkun Na Ayuthaya, president of Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau.