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 II.  BILATERAL TRADE WITH THE PHILIPPINES
     Value in US$ Million

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In 2006, Thailand ranked 10^th among RP's largest trading partners, 11^th export market and 9^th import supplier.

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• Thailand is a big market with a population of over 65 million. 
  
  

• Retailers and importers in Thailand see growing consumer spending on clothing products, especially with more promising business prospects for foreign ready-to-wear fashions. The increasingly affluent middle class look to "branded" fashion products for identity and better lifestyle. It is estimated that currently around 3% of the Thai population (about 2 million) are "upper middle class" earning 20,000-30,000 baht (about US$500-750) per month.
  
  

• There is extreme disparity in the distribution of wealth in the country. The real middle class market is in Bangkok, with Chiang Mai in the North and some Southern cities containing smaller populations of middle class with relatively higher disposable incomes. Demand for luxury vehicles in the areas is high while many families in the rural areas survive on around 20 to 40 USD per month.
  
  

• Thais are great whisky drinkers, with imported whiskies popular among the Bangkok middle class and yuppies. The local Thai whisky (which is much cheaper because of monopoly and lack of import taxes) is the main drink of the great majority or poor rural Thais. Beer is the second most popular local drink, but the broad market is relatively price sensitive. 
  
  

• Automotive opportunities exist in diesel engine components, suspension and chassis parts, large injection moulds and moulded parts, press dies, jigs and fixtures, catalytic converters, industry plastic and rubber products, steel casting and forging, engineering plastic compounding, design and engineering services, training (quality management or labor skills development), equipment maintenance and refurbishment, transmission and parts, mirrors and vision system, accessories (especially for pick-up trucks and off-road vehicles). 
  
  

• Food and Beverages - Increase in demand for international food and beverages is due to the growing number of tourists, foreigners living and working in Thailand and overseas-educated Thais. Consequently, there is growth in the food service sector. Natural and organic foods are in demand and imported fruit and vegetables are also popular even though the retail prices are 20 per cent higher than local produce. Opportunities exist in fresh fruit, wine, processed foods, meat and dairy. Imported canned or bottled fruit juice and concentrated fruit juice are also popular food items. 
  
  

• Pet Supplies - Opportunity areas in the Thai pet food industry include pet food (particularly pellet food) and other food preparations, pet snacks and chewable items, health supplements and vitamins, medicinal products and services such as vaccines, heart disease preventive tablets, pet accessories, pet grooming and hygienic products. 
  
  

• Cosmetics opportunities exist in the supply of general cosmetic items such as facial powder, eye shadow, lipstick, cosmetics made from natural extracts, medicinal cosmetics that contain medicinal properties mainly for skin care. Opportunities also exist in products that are not tested on animals and products that have environmentally friendly packaging. 
  
  

• Marine opportunities for companies exist in fast ferries, pleasure craft, patrol boats, fire fighting and rescue boats, cargo vessels, fishing vessels, offshore oil and gas service vessels, marine infrastructure, marina facilities and education and training. 
  
  

• Information and Communication Technologies - High priority needs/opportunities for Thailand's telecommunications sector include fixed line prepaid card technology, Intelligent Network (IN), ISDN terminal equipment, SDH equipment, fibre-optics/cables and technologies, call/customer management systems, Internet/e-commerce convergence technology, voice over Internet Protocol (VOIP), software and Internet security, e-commerce training and consultancy in business-to-business, Mobile/Wireless Intelligent Network, wireless application protocol technology, digital mobile base stations and related equipment, paging transmitting and tracking systems, third generation convergence technology, transmission networks, data/network services and management, consultancy and project management. Opportunities also exist in software applications, business intelligence solutions, professional training and networking and telecommunication software.
  
  Source: www.doir.wa.gov.au/exportandtrade

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1. www.nesdb.go.th - detailed info on the economy of Thailand. FREE access
   
   

2. www.adb.org/counties - statistical information on selected member countries. FREE access
   
   

3. www.tdctrade.com  - latest information on selected countries. FREE access
   
   

4. www.asianinfo.org  Country reports on selected member countries FREE Access
   

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