Prospects for the textile and clothing industry in Thailand, April 2010

43 pages, published in Issue 144, April 2010   Report price: Euro 690.00; US$ 910.00

The textile and clothing industry in Thailand encompasses a broad range of manufacturing activities and process stages, unlike the industries in many other Asian countries. It provides jobs for over 1 mn people, making it the largest employer in Thailand’s manufacturing sector. Furthermore, its success in export markets has made it a significant earner of foreign exchange. Thailand is also a major importer of textiles and clothing—as well as being a major exporter—and in 2009 it bought US$2.9 bn worth of these items from the rest of the world.

The textile and clothing industry has benefited significantly over the years from government policies designed to encourage its development, and from the government’s liberal stance on trade and foreign investment. However, it has also faced a number of challenges, including rising labour costs, declining productivity, and the global elimination of quotas—which exposed it to the full forces of international competition. More recently, it has been adversely affected by the global economic downturn—and in 2009 it suffered from an 11% fall in exports. Also, investors have been concerned about social and political instability and matters became even more serious in April 2010 when the government declared a state of emergency in response to a rising tide of street protestors. Internationally, there is the ever present threat of competition from other Asian producers, notably China. Although the quality of production in Thailand is considered to be good, production costs are higher than in many competing countries.

More positively, there are hopes that the decline in exports will be reversed in 2010 as demand picks up, not least in the key Western markets of the USA and the EU. Also, closer links are being forged with Japan under the terms of the “Textile and Apparel Development for Export to Japan under JTEPA Framework” initiative, and this holds the promise of access to the latest technology and enhanced marketing opportunities. Looking forward, although competition from lower cost countries looks set to intensify, the industry has the potential to become a significant and growing supplier of high added value products to international brands and major global retailing groups.

Prospects for the Textile and Clothing Industry in Thailand

• Summary
• Importance of the Textile and Clothing Industry to the Economy of Thailand
• Development of the Textile and Clothing Industry in Thailand
• Thailand: Geographical, Political and Economic Profile
• Thailand: Infrastructure
• Thailand: Human Resources
• Size and Structure of the Textile and Clothing Industry in Thailand
• Thailand: Fibre Production and Consumption by the Textile Industry
• Thailand: Textile and Clothing Production and Consumption
• Production Technology and Machinery in Thailand’s Textile and Clothing Industry
• Thailand’s Textile and Clothing Exports
• Thailand’s Textile and Clothing Imports
• Textiles and Clothing in Thailand: Government Policies and Investment Incentives
• Textiles and Clothing in Thailand: Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats

Buy this Report now	Buy this Issue (144) now	Subscribe

• Trends in US textile and clothing imports, April 2010, (April 2010)
• Prospects for the Textile and Garment Industry in Pakistan, (November 2009)
• Trade and trade policy: the US clothing import market, 2nd quarter 2009, (2nd Quarter 2009)
• Prospects for the Textile and Garment Industry in China, (June 2009)
• Prospects for the textile and garment industry in Hong Kong, (4th Quarter 2008)
• Prospects for the Textile and Garment Industry in Bangladesh, (May-June 2008)

Six times a year, Textile Outlook International provides up to 200 pages of intelligence, expert analysis and insight on the global textile and clothing industry.

What's in it? Each issue provides an authoritative source of information on key industry topics, including: circularity; cotton; environmental sustainability; fibre prices; innovation; production and consumption forecasts; imports and exports; industry giants and emerging brands; international trade fairs; key geographical markets; recommerce; retail; supply chains; textile and clothing trade; textile machinery; trade and production trends; world markets; and yarn and fabric manufacturing. A single issue of Textile Outlook International includes: an editorial think-piece on a topical issue from an industry expert a report on textile and apparel trade and production trends a round-up of the latest international trade fairs a feature on textile and clothing imports and exports or fibre prices, production and consumption a report on a key geographical market insight and analysis of a key market leader or fast-growing start-up An annual subscription to Textile Outlook International is a cost-effective way to keep informed about trends and developments in the global textile and clothing industry. Subscriptions are available in printed and/or digital formats. Printed and digital subscribers receive each issue in printed format in addition to a digital PDF file, which is available immediately on publication. Like all Textiles Intelligence publications, Textile Outlook International is a reliable source of independently sourced business information, and it does not carry advertising. This is what our customers say: "Ten years ago while working in the UK, I discovered Textile Outlook International. Since then, while working in the United States and now in Italy, I have relied upon this publication to support many of my strategic sourcing decisions. Textiles Intelligence has created a world-class publication that I will continue to depend upon in my work with the global textile industry." (Peter G Allison; Vice President, Mediterranean Sourcing; Gap Inc.)