BANGKOK: As Chairman of the ADFEST Working Committee, Vinit Suraphongchai deliberated long and hard before making the difficult decision to postpone ADFEST 2010 until later this year.

After much discussion with the other members of the Working Committee, Steering Committee and Plannova, which organizes ADFEST, Suraphongchai agreed it was better to be safe than sorry.

ADFESTbuzz caught up with Suraphongchai to find out more.

ADFESTbuzz: Can you explain the political situation in Thailand at the moment?

The root cause is better explained in all the newspaper and publications involving the conflict between the government on the one hand and the ex-Prime Minister and his supporters on the other. I can only hope that the issues will be resolved soon, but I cannot predict the future.

ADFESTbuzz: Why did the Working Committee at ADFEST take this precaution?

It postponed ADFEST for two reasons, primarily for the safety of the delegates and secondly to protect the ADFEST name. 

The opposition has announced a mass rally culminating on 14th March, which is only 4 days away from our original ADFEST date of 18-20 March. During this uncertain time ADFEST has a responsibility to protect delegates from any undue concern or unforeseen inconvenience, real or otherwise. It simply cannot take a chance.

As for ADFEST itself, it has a reputation as a fun, enjoyable and professionally-run event, which also has to be considered. If we opened on the original dates and events took a turn for the worse, the goodwill that has been built up over the years would be compromised.

For these reasons, the Working Committee decided it was better to be safe than sorry.

ADFESTbuzz: When is ADFEST 2010 likely to take place now?

We are working hard to reschedule ADFEST – hopefully in late May 2010.

ADFESTbuzz: What about The Intercontinental Advertising Cup, which was also scheduled to take place during ADFEST in March this year?

The judging dates for the Intercontinental Advertising Cup have not changed and are still 13-18th March but the venue has been moved to Sarajevo instead of Pattaya. It involved a great deal of logistic work but the transfer has been successful.

ADFESTbuzz: What is your message to everybody now?

We have an obligation to ensure that ADFEST will happen this year. Ultimately it is not the date that is so important. It is an ADFEST that is well organized and one that delegates can go and enjoy with a peace of mind. I want everybody to have the right perspective. I also want to apologize for any inconvenience caused by this change of date. I hope everybody understands.

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