MICE INITIATIVES

THAI CABINET DECLARES 26 APRIL AS 'NATIONAL MICE DAY'

The Thai Cabinet has officially designated 26 April as National MICE Day, recognising the vital role of the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) industry in Thailand's development.

The date commemorates the first national exhibition, held on 26 April 1882 during the reign of King Rama V. Organised at Sanam Luang as part of Bangkok's centenary celebrations, the event aimed to promote Thai products and national pride—a mission still reflected in today's exhibitions.

Mr Chiruit Isarangkun Na Ayuthaya, President of the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (Public Organisation), or TCEB, noted that the proposal—put forward by Deputy Prime Minister Mr Anutin Charnvirakul—was backed by research conducted with the Convention Promotion Fund.

"This commemorative day underscores MICE's historical and ongoing contribution to Thailand's progress," said Mr Chiruit. Historically, MICE activities have supported national goals across three key periods: the early Rattanakosin era as a platform for cultural restoration; the mid-Rattanakosin period for international engagement; and the modern era, where MICE has become integral to economic development. Today, MICE plays a key role in stimulating local economies, in line with TCEB's policy to promote growth in Thailand's 10 designated MICE Cities. From 2016 - 2018, Thailand led ASEAN as the top conference destination and ranked fourth in Asia, after Japan, China, and South Korea.

Since TCEB's founding, over 191 million domestic and international MICE travellers have generated more than 1.75 trillion baht in revenue. Prior to the pandemic, the industry contributed around 728.5 billion baht to the economy and supported over 426,000 jobs. “Despite recent challenges, TCEB's continued focus on infrastructure, talent, and innovation ensures Thailand's MICE industry remains competitive,” Mr Chiruit concluded.

Source : TCEB