TAT awaits cabinet approval for bureau

BANGKOK The launch of the convention bureau by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has been delayed while the national tourism organisation awaits official government approval. The TAT had hoped to have the bureau up and running by the beginning of this month but the authority is waiting for the proposal to go before a cabinet meeting of the Thai government to be ratified and then a bureau leader to be appointed. TAT director international convention division Mr Udom Metatamrongsiri said there had been no dates confirmed for the cabinet meeting to discuss the proposal at press time. He added he hoped there would be a decision soon as he expected Thailand to receive a higher profile in the industry after Bangkok won the right to host trade show Incentive Travel & Conventions, Meetings Asia from 2002 to 2004.