THAILAND Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) is targeting opportunities in the Greater Bay Area and wider Chinese market with the launch of MEET Thai Plus 2026 Shenzhen, a new cross-sector platform linking Thai and Chinese businesses.
The two-day event is due to take place at Shenzhen Convention and Exhibition Centre, September 9-10, under the theme “Thailand: Meet for More”.
MEET Thai Plus 2026 Shenzhen is expected to attract around 1,500 participants, including 1,000 business delegates from China.
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The initiative was unveiled at a press conference in Bangkok attended by Jiang Wei, Minister Counsellor for Economic and Commercial Affairs of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Thailand, who delivered a keynote address on enhancing bilateral cooperation through the programme.
TCEB is positioning the event as a strategic platform to deepen Thailand’s engagement with the GBA while expanding access to the wider Chinese market. Shenzhen was selected because of its role as a leading centre for technology, innovation and investment in one of the world’s most economically dynamic regions.
The bureau expects at least 800 business matching appointments between Thai and Chinese organisations with the event generating an estimated THB1 billion (about US$30m) in business value. Memoranda of Understanding are also expected to be signed in areas including exhibitions, technology and innovation.
The initiative represents one of the most ambitious international marketing efforts undertaken by TCEB, bringing together around 100 organisations from Thailand’s public sector, private sector and academic institutions. The platform extends beyond the MICE sector to include trade, investment, tourism, technology, digital economy, education, healthcare, food and creative industries.
Speaking at the launch, Supawan Teerarat, President of TCEB, said the event marked a shift towards a new model of overseas business engagement.
“This is the first time TCEB has received such unprecedented support from leading economic agencies, private sector businesses and academic institutions, with around 100 organisations participating. Importantly, participation extends far beyond the traditional MICE sector to include trade, investment, tourism, technology, digital industries, education, food, healthcare and the creative economy.
MEET Thai Plus 2026 Shenzhen will be the largest and most comprehensive overseas market engagement platform ever organised by TCEB for Thai businesses across multiple sectors.”
– Supawan Teerarat, TCEB
The bureau’s expanded approach reflects changing market conditions in which organisations are seeking stronger returns on investment from international business development activity. Rather than promoting meetings and exhibitions in isolation, TCEB is bundling a broader range of Thai economic capabilities into a single showcase targeting Chinese companies looking for regional growth opportunities.
Supawan added that the event would consolidate Thailand’s strengths, expertise, capabilities and opportunities within key economic sectors onto a single platform, enabling Thailand to present a unified and compelling business proposition to Chinese companies.
“It offers an efficient and high-value gateway for Chinese businesses exploring opportunities in overseas markets, particularly in ASEAN, where Thailand continues to play a central role as a regional hub,” she said.
Participating government agencies include Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, represented through the Consulate General in Guangzhou, alongside the Tourism Authority of Thailand, Department of International Trade Promotion, Board of Investment, Eastern Economic Corridor Office, Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand and Digital Economy Promotion Agency.
Private-sector participants will range from hotels, convention and exhibition venues, destination management companies and event organisers to technology firms, logistics providers, digital media companies, healthcare businesses and creative economy enterprises. Organisations from destinations including Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket, Pattaya, Chonburi, Rayong and Lopburi will be represented.
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TCEB said the event would not only to encourage Chinese companies to use Thailand as a base for meetings, exhibitions and investment in ASEAN, but also to create opportunities for Thai organisations seeking partnerships and market access in China through structured business matching, networking and knowledge-sharing sessions.
China remains one of Thailand’s most important source markets across business events, tourism, trade and investment, making the country a natural focus for the bureau’s international growth strategy.
Around 1,000 Chinese participants are expected to attend the event, including representatives from business associations, chambers of commerce and companies operating in sectors such as MICE, tourism, international trade, e-commerce, software development and artificial intelligence.
Main image… TCEB officials and industry leaders join Chinese diplomat Jian Wei and TCEB’s Supawan Teerarat (both centre) following the press conference in Bangkok launching MEET Thai Plus 2026 Shenzhen
