After Grand Prix Magazine was highly successful, “Dr. Prachin” was then confident with his experience in the industry. He had an innovative idea to initiate the first ever Motor Show in Thailand. “Motor Show’79” is the name of the first Motor Show which was held from April 2 to April 6, 1979 at Lumpini Park, on the area of 16,200 square meters. At the time, His Royal Highness Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn were graciously presided over the opening ceremony. The revenue collected from 3 Baht admission fee was given to “Duang Prateep Foundation”.

With the success of the first show and a great feedback received from car companies and people of Thailand, Dr. Prachin decided to move the venue for the second year event to Suan Amporn where its area allow to conduct a Motor Show which tantamount to world class standard. The auspicious highlight was the display of different Royal cars of His Royal Highness Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn, which were change in rotation to showcase on each day. Millions of people were able to witness such Royal cars that normally were hard to be seen throughout the show from November 12 to November 16, 1980. The exhibition of the most advanced car of that time was very popular also and become the highlight of the show until today.

The Motor Show was then being held at Suan Amporn ever since. From the 4th year onwards futuristic Concept Cars were brought to the show and the showperiod was also extended from 5 to 7 days. One thing was found is that visitors never hold back their attention and interest to new car models, and that has made all car makers busy trying to keep up with one another all the time. The 5th year saw the change in its name from “Motor Show” to “Bangkok Motor Show”. That was the first time the show is supported by Tourism Authority of Thailand and The Royal Automobile Association of Thailand Under Royal Patronage. Later at the 17th event, the word “International” was added as a perfect complement to the world class event title making it the one and only “Bangkok International Motor Show” in Thailand.

It is certain that the show must be developed in a way that is more internationalization year after year to make the show even livelier. The show was more glamourous with the main pond in front of the hall featuring an elegant yacht, or with the presentation of high end car audio systems as well as the traditional rally in which a pleasant number of car lover assembled together and paraded to the show in their favorite car. The highlight was still remained and being upheld with the Concept Car and new models presented by car and motorcycle makers in order to showcase their ultimate technology of the time, while visitors could enjoy variousactivities provided at each individual booth and pavilions as well.

For the decade, the show had gradually become well-known both in Thailand and all over the world for its remarkable exhibition. The show organizer thereby decided to initiate Miss Motor Show Contest in pursuit of a talented beautiful young lady to be crowned and to help promoting the show.

Bangkok International Motor Show had been continuously growing in term of exhibition size and the number of visitor. Since the growth surpassed the limitation of Suan Amporn, “Dr. Prachin Eamlumnow” then foresaw the need of a new venue to accommodate the expansion. Thus, he decided to move the venue of the event to BITEC Bangna, which was built to serve this type of the show. Bangkok International Motor Show took up a space of 30,800 square meters in total at BITEC Bangna. The new venue was prompt with high standard facilities that allowed the show to be conducted at a level of world class ranking. At the bottom line, the Bangkok International Motor show was continued at Suan Amporn till the 18th year. In following year, Bangkok International Motor Show was moved to BITEC Bangna and continue its legacy.

The first era of Bangkok International Motor Show was ended with the 18th event held at Suan Amporn in 1997. Then, the new chapter began with the second era starting at BITEC Bangna.

In 1997, Thailand struggled with Asian Financial Crisis, in which many disagreed on Dr. Prachin’s idea of moving to the new venue due to the uncertainty at that time. However, nothing could stop this visionary man. Dr. Prachin’s decision turned out to be an outstanding one and it had proven that his idea was right. He turned the crisis into the opportunity. The Bangkok International Motor Show at BITEC Bangna was a remarkable outcome that lead to the success of Thai automotive industry. There were quite a few obstacles Dr. Prachin and his team had to face with, but the show was magnificently implemented despite such roughness. As a consensus, the show deserved the world class standard title and thereby has been well worthy for the development of the subsequent shows.

With the international standard venue, the show was then developed with its own identity by having Miss Motor Show Contest and Miss Presenter Contest to express the importance toward the car and motorcycle introduction as well as the presentation or the latest technology. The show has been well received such kind collaboration from car and motorcycle companies to launch their new models and Concept Car at the show as well as other amusing activities. Without their support, the show would lack of many significant elements in fulfilling the show.

The 26th Bangkok International Motor Show was honor to be listed in the “International Calendar of Auto Shows” certified by OICA, the organization that conduct administration and coordination activities of International Motor Show worldwide.

After moving to BITEC Bangna, Bangkok International Motor Show has apparently proven the world class capability ranging from the construction of car and motorcycle booths, the collaboration work received from car and motorcycle companies including the exhibition inside the accessories hall. All these have been supporting and promoting Thai automotive industry to be the Detroit of Asia.

Another outstanding accomplishment is the impressive number of over 2 million people who visited the show. The figure has attracted a great number of international journalist to travel overseas annually just to cover the show and publish the insight of the Motor Show to the people of the world. This great development is the result of many observation trips the organizer team has been travelling and studying from time to time at various International Motor Shows of the world such as Tokyo Motor Show or Frankfurt Motor Show, etc. This is probably the secret behind the capability of the team in doing such world class show.

4 years passed after moving to BITEC Bangna, the show has been developed and gradually growing year afteryear. In addition, Dr. Prachin has an initiative idea for a greater Motor Show. Thus, it was the perfect timing to move to the new venue, which is IMPACT Muang Thong Thani. And that was the beginning of the third era for the Motor Show in Thailand.