Bangkok, 3 February 2014 Mr. Nattapon Natthasomboon, director-general of Department of Industrial Works (DIW) revealed reducing number of new establishing factories in January 2014 which has been continuously declined since December 2013. It is believed that it affected from current political climate for decision makers. This year the only number of 254 new factories established, specifically food and agricultural SME industries which differed from 331 numbers of overall industrial categories last year. In addition, the 6,334 employment figure with value of 8,547 million baht showed decreasing cost from 12,009 million baht from the 30 factories which differed from 46 locations last year and 1,877 employment number is less than 11,185 employment in the last year.
The industrial investment and expansion in central, except Bangkok, and northeast parts are still the highest interesting locations due to basic infrastructure which is closed to airport and sea port.
Nevertheless, the business closing down rate is less than the number of the last year (54 from 120 factories) which creates 1,167 unemployment from 257 locations which is less than 6,349 unemployment from 897 locations last year.
Mr. Nattapon also mentioned that 2 February election can regain investors’ confidentiality. However, it will depend on the movement and the end game of political protest and conflict which re-election is not an absolute solution. As a result, the decision of 100-1,000 million baht investment could possibly delayed for a couple months.
