US-based Las Vegas Sands Corp wants to build an integrated resort in Bangkok worth about US$ 1 billion or Bt32 billion as part of its regional expansion.
We're interested in investing in Thailand and Bangkok is our target. So far we haven't talked with any government body here, but are waiting for an invitation from Thai officials," George Tanasijevich, general manager of the Marina Bay Sands and vice president of Singapore Development, said during a visit this week.
The project would create 800-1,000 jobs.
The group has been seeking investment opportunities here for two to three years, but cannot conduct a feasibility study yet due to many other considerations such as social reflections, the Thai government's intentions and regulatory factors.
The development would include a hotel, entertainment, business meeting hall and shopping facilities. A casino probably is part of the project, he said. All other properties in Macao and Singapore feature a casino.
The destination resort here would not compete with those in Singapore and Macao, but would be a supplement to help expand business in the region and draw visitors to Thailand, he said while promoting the Marina Bay Sands Singapore, which opened in June.
"Thailand is one of the top five key markets along with Indonesia, Malaysia, India and China. We just established a sales office in Bangkok to help boost the number of Thai guests," he said.
The group is working with local travel operators to create tour packages to lure Thais to Singapore and with event organisers to bring business meetings and events to the city-state.
It is working with the Singapore Tourism Board to do marketing overseas to promote new attractions in Singapore.
"We are trying to encourage Thais to take a flight to Singapore for business and take a vacation there," he said.
The Marina Bay Sands Singapore consists of nine key components - hotel, casino, convention centre, shopping area, museum, theatre, sky park, crystal pavilion and event plaza.
By year-end, the complex will be completely operational, so it should attract more market segments.
Early this year, Resort World, owned by Malaysia's Genting Group, was opened to target mainly family, leisure travellers and gamblers.
Last year, Singapore received 9.7 million visitors. It aims for 11.5-12.5 million arrivals this year and hopefully for 17 million by 2015.
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