Thailand Pavilion breaks ground at World Expo 2020 Dubai

“Thailand Pavilion represents Thailand’s mobility of the future,” said Nuttapon Nimmanphatcharin, president and CEO of the Digital Economy Promotion Agency (DEPA) and deputy commissioner general. “This also relates to our national agenda, Thailand 4.0, by integrating advanced technology to drive the country forward in all aspects. This exhibition aims to promote a positive image and showcase Thailand’s potential in digital technology for worldwide recognition.”
The ceremony was headed by Ajarin Pattanapanchai, permanent secretary of the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (MDES), in his capacity as the commissioner general of the Thailand Pavilion. He referenced the Dubai Expo theme of “Connecting Minds, Creating the Future”. 
“Dubai aims to inspire the next generation and join hands with others to improve the world, as well as to develop the connection between the people and organisations to be able to respond to the world and promote innovation under three sub-themes – opportunity, mobility and sustainability,” said Ajarin.
Nuttapon noted that construction of the Thailand Pavilion was on schedule and meets international standards as well as UAE regulations for both the conceptual idea and the design. Thailand was one of the first five countries to begin work on its pavilion.
 “Thailand Pavilion is located in the Mobility zone, on a plot of 3,606 square metres, which is the biggest site that Thailand has ever had since our country first participated in a World Expo over 150 years ago. The pavilion will represent the country with the ‘Mobility for the Future ’ theme, to showcase Thailand’s digital capabilities, to draw international investors to Thailand through the concept of ‘Digital for Development’,” said Nuttapon.
“This will be a good opportunity for the country for national branding, to show to the world Thailand’s new perspective, apart from the country being well-known for her abundant natural resources and graceful culture, known as the Land of Smiles. Thailand is transforming to become a hub of digital development to connect everyone in Southeast Asia.”
The project also aims to reduce disparity, provide opportunity and propel the country onto the international stage, he said. It also links to the sub-theme of mobility, with an emphasis on the smarter and more productive movement that connects people, organisations and countries. This will create a better future. 
The goal of Thailand Pavilion is to attract 7 per cent of the 25 million visitors to the Expo, or around 1,750,000 visitors. 
The groundbreaking ceremony was witnessed by guests of honour Waravuth Pouapinya, Ambassador of the Royal Thai Embassy, Abu Dhabi, UAE along with the chief executives from various government sectors stationed in the UAE. Construction and decoration of the pavilion are expected to be completed and ready to operate by September 2020.
World Expo is one of the largest recurring events in the world, ranked third after the Olympic games and the FIFA World Cup. 
An Expo is hosted every five years. World Expo Dubai will be held from October 20, 2020 to April 10, 2021.