100,000 visit pavilion in Dubai

100,000 visit pavilion in Dubai

Visitors to the World Expo 2020 Dubai, which runs from Oct 1 to March 31 next year, stand in a long queue to visit the Thailand Pavilion. (Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai Thailand Facebook account)
Visitors to the World Expo 2020 Dubai, which runs from Oct 1 to March 31 next year, stand in a long queue to visit the Thailand Pavilion. (Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai Thailand Facebook account)

The government is hailing the Thailand Pavilion at the World Expo 2020 in Dubai as a success for attracting more than 100,000 visitors in the past two weeks.

Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana, spokesman for the government, says Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has congratulated the organisers of the Thailand Pavilion.

Visitors, including foreign dignitaries and country representatives, taking part in the event have expressed admiration for the pavilion's displays, particularly the animations, food and Thailand's two mascots -- Rak (Love) and Mali (Jasmine), Mr Thanakorn says.

These displays reflect the uniqueness of Thai culture, he says, noting Thailand's health service and digital industry technologies are also shown there to promote the country.

A visitor who asked not to be named said he was impressed with the Thailand Pavilion, especially the storytelling of the kingdom's journey from its ancient past to the present day, Mr Thanakorn says.

"The Thailand Pavilion makes us feel like travelling to Thailand for real," he says, quoting the visitor.

Mr Thanakorn says World Expo 2020 Dubai, which started on Oct 1, will run until March 31 as the expo's organisers are confident the number of visitors will increase next month during the start of Dubai's high tourist season and the easing of curbs on international travel.

He says the positive response to the Thailand Pavilion shows foreign nationals are interested in Thailand. He credits the government for stepping up its publicity campaign to resuscitate the tourism industry hit by Covid-19.

Gen Prayut during a flood inspection in Sing Buri on Wednesday responded to critics who said the Thailand Pavilion at the expo was "dated".

"I am aware of the criticism. Some are trying to devalue the pavilion," he said. "Just look at how many people queue up in lines to visit and how much interest it has received."

Mr Thanakorn says Gen Prayut has instructed all agencies to prepare for the kingdom's reopening to fully vaccinated international visitors by Nov 1.

The government is confident the Nov 1 reopening will be the focal point of international attention, he says.

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