Phuket Tourist Association President Thaneth Tantipiriyakij confirmed the development following a recent joint meeting between the Phuket branch of the Federation of Thai Industries and the Thailand Industry Council. Both agencies agreed unanimously to endorse the province’s new direction and support its return to the competition, he said.
However, Mr Thaneth noted that Phuket will need “stronger preparation and a more comprehensive presentation” than in its previous bid, which saw the island lose out to Serbia for the Specialised Expo 2027/28.
Phuket’s earlier proposal focused on wellness and medical tourism under the theme ‘Future of Life: Living in Harmony, Sharing Prosperity’. The revised concept builds on those foundations but shifts the emphasis to the global challenge of extending healthy years of life.
“The new direction expands that idea into longevity, positioning Phuket as a destination where people not only live longer, but remain healthier for more of those years,” Mr Thaneth told The Phuket News.
“‘Life span’ represents the length of time a person lives, while ‘health span’ refers to the number of years lived in good health. The longevity concept aims to close the long-standing gap between the two,” he said.
Globally, people spend an average of nine to 10 years in poor health at the end of their lives, often facing mobility challenges, dependence on medical care and steep household costs, he noted.
“Phuket’s proposal aims to showcase solutions that could ensure people enjoy a healthy life equal to their full lifespan,” he added.
Mr Thaneth stressed that longevity differs from conventional medical tourism, which caters to those already ill. Instead, the longevity model integrates lifestyle, prevention, innovation and sustainable living “to maintain wellbeing while still healthy”.
Phuket will highlight its expanding roster of major events as proof that the island already possesses the international infrastructure, logistics capacity and global profile required to host a specialised expo, Mr Thaneth noted
Between late 2025 and 2026, the island will stage a series of high-profile gatherings, including the Thailand Biennale international art exhibition; the Electric Daisy Carnival (EDC) Thailand; the NewMa Asia Massage Championship; the InterPride World Conference; the Global Sustainable Tourism Council Summit (April 2026); Global Wellness Summit (end of 2026).
“These sit alongside long-standing annual sporting fixtures such as the King’s Cup Regatta and the Laguna Phuket Triathlon and the Laguna Phuket Marathon,” Mr Thaneth said.
“The whole year’s events will be presented as evidence that Phuket already has the infrastructure, logistics and international reputation required to stage a specialised expo,” he added.
THE FAILED BID
However, Phuket’s failure in its bid to host the 2027/28 Specialised Expo had significant repercussions. As Thailand’s proposal lost to Belgrade at the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) general assembly in June 2023, momentum behind several major infrastructure projects began to wane.
At the time, then-Governor Narong Woonciew warned that the failed bid could slow down long-planned developments, including cross-province road upgrades, tunnel projects, the proposed light-rail system and improvements to Phuket’s water supply.
“Since Phuket was not chosen for the expo, the execution of these infrastructure improvements may not happen as quickly as we had hoped,” Governor Narong said in 2023.
The government had previously allocated B4.18 billion for preparations, with the government touting that the expo would generate B50 billion in economic value, attract 5 million visitors and create more than 113,000 jobs.
What will become of the 141-rai site earmarked for the original expo has yet to be determined.
Despite the setback, Mr Thaneth said the province is entering the new competition with greater clarity and international confidence.
“I believe that with a new theme, a clearer message and growing international momentum, Phuket is in a stronger position than during the first bid,” he said.
The next step will be preparing the province’s formal submission for the Bureau International des Expositions ahead of the selection process for the 2033 Specialised Expo.