BANGKOK, Aug 4 — As the ASEAN Community (AC) is due to be implemented at the end of 2015, the Thai Chamber of Commerce (TCC) says that 12 Thai industries need to further improve before ASEAN fellow members snatch away their customers.
Chatchai Boonrat, vice chairman of TCC, said several obstacles persist in the 12 Thai industries, the most serious problem being a shortage of skilled workers in these fields.
Other problems include high production costs and dependency on imported raw materials, he said.
For example, automobile production industry in which Thailand ranks first among the 10 members of ASEAN, said Mr Chatchai. Manufacturers in the kingdom must maintain quality while the producers must simultaneously set up production in other ASEAN member countries.
According to Mr Chatchai, other Thai industries which need to be further improved are electrical appliances, electronics, iron and steel, jewellery and ornamental products, textiles, plastic resins, plastic products, rubber products, cosmetics, and food.
ASEAN members are Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
