JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #104 - April/May 2016 - 5

material manufacturers, fabricators to distributors - local
businesses, joint ventures and
foreign companies.
Our members are classified
into six sectors including
construction & infrastructure,
home & interior, industrial
products, logistics & transportation, sports & leisure, and
science & medical products.
JCM: What is the status of the
composite market in Thailand?

D. C. : The Thai Composites
Association estimates the
growth of Thailand's composite market to be around
10% in 2015. The growing
knowledge and awareness of
composite utilization in different products and markets
together with innovative solutions are key growth drivers.
Increasing foreign and local
investments in new manufacturing facilities aiming at exports are further accelerating
composite consumption.
JCM: What are the country's
assets?

D. C. : The most important

asset of Thailand is capable
people. Thai people have
good skills when it comes to
fabrication work. The country
also has many high-standard industrial estates and is

already a preferred manufacturing base for international
companies.
Thailand is the gateway to
Asia and its good air, sea and
road transportation networks
make it a major hub for the
ASEAN region. It has 7
international airports, 6 deepsea ports and 2 international
river ports. In addition to the
growing highway network
connections with the neighbouring countries of Laos,
Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia
and Myanmar, Thailand's development plans for 2012-
2022 include a high-speed rail
network that will connect the
north, south, east and west of
the country, as well as provide
a link to southern China. This
is both a great asset and a
great business opportunity.
The country's well-defined
investment policies focus on
liberalization and encourage
free trade. Foreign investments, especially those that
contribute to the development of skills, technology
and innovation, are actively
promoted by the government.
JCM: What issues is the
composite industry currently
facing?

D. C. : Although the coun-

Cobra International Co., Ltd. an example of a large composites factory in
Thailand with 3,300 employees

These fiberglass tanks are engineered and made locally by Gencon
Engineering Co., Ltd.

try's labour has good skill
potential, companies need
effective training programmes
since public composites training is limited. Environmental
regulations are also becoming
stricter, which means local
manufacturers need to adapt
their processes, controls and
materials.
JCM: Are you optimistic
about the development of
composites in Thailand?

D. C. : Yes. Many fields of
application for composites
are expanding in Thailand
and the ASEAN region.
Construction, infrastructure,
pipes and tanks continue to
be strong and composites use
is growing driven by governmental mega-projects and
private projects demanding
innovations. There is also a
strong push for local content
in the rail industry for highspeed trains, Bangkok's mass
transit expansion as well as
the development of provincial rail systems. Local bus
manufacturers use more
composites daily.
No104 April - May 2016 /

Thailand's location and
coast line are the equivalent
of Florida. The country
attracts tourists from all over
the world, which increases
the demand for commercial
crafts. Several thousand tourist boats and ferries will need
to be replaced with composite boats over the next 5-10
years. Thai people, and Japanese, Russian and Chinese
millionaires in particular, are
driving the future demand
for private yachts and marine
infrastructure.
Thailand is a major exporter
of many composite products
such as automotive and motorcycle parts, sports equipment, and industrial products.
The country ranks as the 11th
largest car producer at roughly 2 million cars per year. All
major car and motorcycle
brands have assembly plants
in Thailand. n
More information:
www.fiberglassthai.com

jec composites magazine 5
http://www.fiberglassthai.com
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #104 - April/May 2016
