Thailand has been actively promoting itself as a MICE destination through the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB), which is a public organisation established in 2004 by a Royal Decree published in the Royal Gazette. TCEB recently organised Connections Plus 2010 Program for corporates starting from August 19.

Connections Plus 2010 included a delegation of ten corporates from India and other countries. All the delegates met and commenced their journey from Bangkok. The five-day program included  several tours including the 'Rural Life on the King's River complete with foot massages, the Bangkok Cycling and Life Style Tour,  trip to The Ancient Kingdom of Lanna, trip to the pearl of the Andaman Sea with the Phuket Program, Chiangmai and more.

One of the attendees, Jayaram Govindaiah, Head - Administration and Facilities, Schneider Electric India Pvt. Ltd.said, "Initially when I went to Thailand, I thought TCEB were trying to sell and package Thailand for visitors and gain money. But, soon after exploring the destination, I realized Thailand actually has lots to offer. It has huge and spacious venues, cost-effective and is a destination with an international appeal. The people cost and hotels make it an ideal destination for MICE events. I am thoroughly impressed with Thailand. We will surely plan a MICE event in the coming future there."

Another attendee, Krishnan, Senior Advisor, Maruti Suzuki Ltd, said, "In this trip I was really taken by Chiang mai in Thailand. Our company has been organizing events, incentive trips in Thailand for over 12 years now as well as at various destinations like Bangkok and Phuket. In the coming future we will definitely plan something in Chiang mai."

Some of the corporates that were taken to Thailand as part of Connections Plus 2010 were Tata Asset Management Ltd, Mahindra First Choice Wheels Ltd., Esteem Gases Pvt. Ltd, Schneider Electric India Pvt. Ltd, Maruti Suzuki Ltd., Ranbaxy Laboratories Ltd., Airbus Engineering India and Micromax.