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From Detroit to Geneva, motor shows have been forced to cancel
due to the COVID-19 pandemic, throwing the future of the
industry's traditional way of marketing new models into doubt.
The 41st Bangkok International Motor Show opens to the public on
Wednesday after being pushed back twice since March.
"This is more than the motor show, but also Thailand's
reputation because the other event organizers will be watching,"
said Prachin Eamlumnow, chief executive of head organizer of the
event, Grand Prix International <GPI.BK>.
Thailand will be the first to host a motor show on this scale
since the pandemic, he told reporters.
Thailand has had no locally transmitted cases of COVID-19 for
about seven weeks and has been easing restrictions imposed to
tackle the outbreak, seeking to get its economy moving again.
The Southeast Asian country is a major regional car production
hub, with its previous motor shows registering more than a
million visitors.
Organisers have pledged to limit crowds this year and control
entry at the show, where 25 car brands - including Ford and
Subaru - and 22 motorcycle manufacturers will display their
products.
Each brand's booth has entry and exit points and guests are
required to scan a QR code, a type of barcode, with their mobile
phones when entering and leaving, unlike at previous shows when
people could roam freely.
Staff at the booths will also be wearing masks or face shields
during the show, which runs from July 15 to July 26.
"The government allowed us to hold it, but we still must be very
careful," said Prachin.
(Reporting by Chayut Setboonsarng; Writing by Kay Johnson and Ed
Davies; Editing by Tom Hogue)
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