Bangkok--25 May--Index Creative Village
The Ministry of Energy prepares to show the potential of Thailand, as the land of energy crops, in developing Bio Energy at the Astana Expo 2017 in Astana, The Republic of Kazakhstan. In creating the Thailand Pavilion, with the concept "Bioenergy for All", The Ministry of Energy sets to accumulate international partners to develop bioenergy for humanity and aiming for the Thailand Pavilion to have the heist number of visitors.
Gen. Anantaporn Kanjanarat, minister of energy, reveals that Thailand is ready in attending the International Exposition 2017 or the Astana Expo 2017 which is held with the main theme "Future Energy" in Astana, Kazakhstan between June 10 - September 10, 2017. The Thailand Pavilion or "Sala Thai" is now completely ready to welcome visitors from 115 countries around the world. Gen. Anantaporn is confident the Sala Thai will be one of the most-visited pavilions at the expo with over 500,000 visitors.
"Thailand has potential in (developing) bioenergy because we are a plentiful nation with an abundance of agricultural products. In showing the world our potential, the ministry will showcase information, knowledge and understanding of bioenergy as well as the link between agriculture and energy development (to the world), as Thailand's progress in developing bioenergy is because of the dedication of H.M. King Bhumibol Adulyadej (King Rama IX), also known as the father of Thai energy, as he developed many energy-relayed projects. Today, the Ministry of Energy has a policy to support innovation and R&D related to energy development to expand and further Thailand's energy industry. This expo will also offer us a chance to promote Thailand's tourism industry, food production capacity whited earned us the reputation of being the world's kitchen as well as strengthen the relationship with countries around the world, especially with Kazakhstan and CIS countries.", says the minister.
Today, Kazakhstan's economy is not yet considered diversified as its income mainly depends on exporting energy. Meanwhile, the agricultural-economy remains small making production insufficient for domestic consumption, hence, massive amounts of food and agricultural products must be imported. This is a great chance for Thailand, which has massive amounts of food and agricultural products, to export our goods to Kazakhstan including Halal products as around half of the population is Muslim. This expo is an essential start of expanding our market and transnational investment.
Meanwhile, Mr. Areepong Bhoocha-Oom, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Energy of Thailand added that, "The Thailand Pavilion or Sala Thai which is organised under the theme of Bioenergy for All aims to convey to visitors about an energy-sustainable future and Thailand's potential in developing alternative energy and the advance in developing bioenergy as we follow the initiations of H.M. King Bhumibol, the father of Thai energy and the king who developed the self-sufficiency concept in efficiently using Thailand's resources. The 974.67 square meter pavilion will be divided into 2 floors and will use the edutainment concept present our content, which is divided into 3 main exhibition halls. The first exhibition hall is Our Ways, Our Thai where visitors will witness the Thai ways of life and our unique nature land culture beauty together with developing alternative energy though our Live Exhibition. The second exhibition hall is Farming the Future Energy which will present the concept of the Thailand Pavilion via 3D Theater which will be the hi light as we tell about the amazing test lab and the birth of Palang the corn which is a source of future energy by using real-life Animatronics . Lastly, the third exhibition hall is Energy Creation Lab which is where visitors will meet bioenergy and biomass which derives from 9 energy crops via the Interactive Exhibition."
The second floor of the Thailand Pavilion will be the VIP reception zone, food stalls, coffeeshop and an area for Business Matching and Investment Clinic as well as demonstrate Thai massage. This event will also see Thai youths which were selected from the Thailand Pavilion Ambassador 2017 Project, where we selected 10 youngsters to represent Thailand in creating a better relationship between the two nations.
As for the progress of building "Sala Thai", the permanent secretary says constriction is now 90% complete with only the interior needing more work. Mr. Areepong believes the Thailand Pavilion will be one of the 10 national pavilions to be completed before the deadline. He believes the Thailand Pavilion will be ready for the system-checking process in June and will be fully ready for the world to witness by June 10, 2017.
Also, the public relations of the Thailand Pavilion within Kazakhstan is receiving great response as Thailand uses the strategy of mixing recognition and positive impression of the Thailand Pavilion, such as conducting roadshows and PR schemes using the VR 360 technique together with Palang, the pavilion's mascot, to create continuous participation with locals in two big cities including Astana and Asmati.