BANG NA – Nostalgic fans of the once-relevant Bangkok International Trade and Exhibition Center (BITEC) celebrated last weekend’s opening of the newly opened On Nut – Soi Bearing extension of the BTS Skytrain.
Formerly Bangkok’s largest and most modern trade show and convention space, BITEC remains a source of fond memories for many long-time residents who recall its glory days of hosting the city’s premier events before they all moved to the larger IMPACT center in Muang Thong Thani.
Finally accessible by public transport, BITEC’s managers hope the somewhat obsolete, second-rate space will gain a boost from tourists and locals hoping to relive some of the memories of great exhibitions past.
“Now you can come to BITEC without parking or taking a taxi,” said Dr. Prasarn Bhiraj Buri, BITEC’s President and CEO, “and look upon our glorious, mostly empty building and think about the great events of yesteryear that would have been even better if we’d had public transport back then.”
BITEC is currently constructing a covered walkway to connect the Bang Na station with the underused convention center. Although completion has been delayed by lack of funds, it is expected to be opened by April 2012, just in time for the kick off of the Bangkok Motor Show at another location.
Dr. Prasarn encouraged the public to come visit BITEC soon, not just to relive old memories, but to attend this year’s upcoming schedule of obscure trade events.
“We’ve got a blockbuster September coming up with both Wire Southeast Asia 2011 and Tube Southeast ASIA 2011,” he said, referring to what the BITEC website describes as “A comprehensive trade fair on wire manufacturing and finishing machinery, spring making machinery, fastener technology and materials, special wires and cables” and “An international trade fair on manufacturing, processing, tool making, raw materials (ferrous and non-ferrous) and technology for the tube and pipe industries.”
