On January 13, the director of the Industrial Business Development Unit, Uthai Piyawanitpong and his team made an official visit to Seat Boat Co. Ltd. shipyard located on South Pattaya Road.
The visit followed an invitation by Banjong Khunujit, president of the Thai Ship yard Association to observe and learn about the difficulties and problems affecting the shipyard industry.
Mr. Uthai said that the Ministry of Industry saw the importance of the shipyard industry and wanted to support and assist the many areas of the industry, including human resources, communication and the importing of equipment and parts.
He said many parts needed in the industry have to be imported and that sometimes their costs have become uncontrollable.
He said, “ the ministry wants to alleviate some of the burden of the shipyard industry, because we must build confidence in our foreign customers that Thai companies are capable of building boats of every size, be they yachts or cruise liners. Thai companies posses the knowhow and skilled labour, combined with high quality parts, assessories and designs.
Uthai went on to say, “There are currently 23 members in the Thai Shipyard Association who are all striving to better their standards. The government will give them all the support they need, so that they will be able to compete in the world market.
