The Thailand garment industry and economy will be the focus of this research analysis. The Thailand garment industry is important to the Thailand economy, contributing more than 12 percent of overall gross national product (GNP). However, the Thailand garment industry is very dependent on trade with the United States and many other countries. For example, Poland was the second largest importer of Thai apparel in 1992 with $300 million, second only to the United States with $514 million (Lelyveld, 1992, p. A1). In addition, the changing world marketplace and that marketplaceÆs legislation is having a profound impact on Thailand, the garment industry and many of ThailandÆs biggest trading partners (notably North America and the European Economic Community). As a result, not only will the makeup of the garment industry and its workforce be discussed, but so will the trade laws that affect it and the current negotiations which may affect them in the future.
Where the economy is concerned, ThailandÆs GNP and GDP (gross domestic product) will be analyzed, including major business and trading partners, imports and exports, trade deficits and/or surpluses. Where trade is concerned, many aspects will be discussed. First, the types of regulations and agencies within Thailand that monitor trade will be illustrated. This will be followed by a discussion of current international situations, agencies and legislation affecting ThailandÆs economy and the garment industry: NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement; ASEAN (Association of South East Asian Nations); GATT (General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade); and the EEC (European Economic Community). A brief introduction to ThailandÆs general information and statistics will open the discussion and a conclusion will end the research by recommending the actions ThailandÆs government needs to take to ensure its continued economic growth and the growth of its industry.
Thailand Gene...