The direction of export industrial development in Thailand
ทิศทางการพัฒนาอุตสาหกรรมส่งออกของไทย
Sasiwemon Sukahbot, D. of Business Ad., F. of Management Sci., PSU.
E-mail : ssasiwem@ratree.psu.ac.th
Grant : Government Budget
Published : Research Report
Key words : export industrial development
The main objective of this research was to study factors influencing development of industry
for exporting of Thailand. Both micro and macro factors were analyzed and related to each other in
order to provide direction of major exporting industry. There were six major industries : Computer
and Parts, Garments, Plastic Products, Integrated Circuits, Precious Stones and Jewelry and Footwear and Parts. All of these industries were labor intensive. Both quantitative and qualitative methods
were applied, especially, the Multiple Regression Analysis was utilized and then it could Characte-
rize the macro factors influencing value of exports. Equations could be used to predict the value of exports for the six industries from 1998 to 2007. The study utilized a time series data during 1983-
1997. Explanatory variables were characterized and used to predict the value of exports. In addition, the qualitative method was applied to determine micro factors influencing the value of exports for the six industries, as well. The qualitative data were summarized from secondary sources. Primary data
was collected by interviewing the exporters and by visiting/observing the factories. Samples were selected from the Department of Export Promotion's and the Industrial Park of Thailand's list. Total number of the samples were 61 and varied within the six industries.
Findings were that the macro factors influencing the value of exports for the Computer and
Parts were (1) the amount of exporting loans provided by commercial banks, (2) the support to small and medium-size business from the Board of Investment Promotion (BOI), the foreign exchange rate; for the Garments, Plastic Products, Integrated Circuits, Precious Stones and Jewelry, and Footwear Industry was the amount of exporting loans provided by commercial banks.
The micro factors influencing the value of exports for the Computer and Parts Industry were standardization of products and technological development within its industry; for the Garments, the Precious Stones and Jewelry were (1) price of raw material, (2) market expansion, (3) labor skills, and (4) capital investment; for the Plastic Products were (1) price of raw materials, (2) market expansion, and (3) foreign joint venture; for the Integrated Circuits were (1) capital investment, (2) market ex-pansion, (3) technological development, and (4) knowledge of personnel; for the Footwear Industry were (1) capital investment, (2) market expansion, and (3) labor skills.
Referring to direction of industry development, the findings were : for the Computer, Garment, Precious Stones and Jewelry, Integrated Circuits and Footwear were in the Growth Stage and would be in the Maturity Stage within 2007; for the Plastic Products were in the Growth Stage and would be a "Rising Star" in 2007. The major products in this industry were plastic bags, sacks, tapes, table-
wares, bottles, and kitchenwares. The government had to develop new products to existing markets while expanding new markets for those industries within growth and maturity stages in order capture more market shares and extend its product life cycle in the world market.
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