pnarc180.pdf

4" '.k
/\tL ,
\f'"l % a sound base
for Thailalnd'*. iildutrial foundation.
Today only one qlartcr of th., country's
imports are for capital goods
such as heavy niaclhinry and
transport equipment. Consumer
goods, such as antoiiobiles, a)jlianccs
and apparel, takc a larger share of
imports each gear, but this ,tp is
expected to be ICduced as more
consuror go &(isare produced in the
Agricultural product processing is
the most imaportant single activity in
mannfacturing, accounting for almost
39 percent of total value added by
nanfacturing. This includes rice
milling, other flour niiit;ng, slaughtering,
sugarweaving, lealier tanning,
etc.
Other industrial prodlcts of great
significance to the national economy
are oil refinery, paper, steel, gunny
bags, glass sheets and textiles, .of
In 1966 private consumption expen'-
ditures accounted for approximately
71 percent of GNIP or $3 billion.
Per capita private consumption expenditurc
ha:: averaged an annual
growth rate of about 2.5 percent
since 1961 and is now about $88.50.
Average per capita income in S136
per year, (the typical Thai family
numbers about 5).
Private consumnpt ion expenditures,
covering final expenditure by households
and others, for purchase of
goods and services, amountcd to 3
billion in 1966, an increae;.; of 40.5
percent in a six year period.
rhe industrial sector and comsumr
goods market have ilso been growing.
The Thai consunr is bccotnin ,ever
more able to purchzase manufa cttucd
goods, and adjusting his mode of
living and tastes accordingly. N ,­
merous factories have been opwncd
to help satisfy these rising d nl.ads,
as well as to mnurfacture intermediate
products and upgrade cxport
but the market continues
to grow and new investrent opptunitis
continue to develop.
i 1950, there were fewer than 1,800
privatel held industrialestablishmenis
in Thailand, at the present there ire
more than 17,000. This figure refleets
the Royal Thai Government's
acetive encouragemnent of private Cnt
i se. o r e thmi of U .S. co ­
trprise. More thn 70 U.S. companics
have establi licd olnices, aiiicco;'erill
liatcs,or factories inThai~iland
a
awide range ofinterc:ts. Photographs
several are shov n in this report.
In 1966, Thailand's principle imports
were petroleum products, vehicles,
machinery, iron and steel, processed
milk and other foods, paper products,
and tobacco.
Bangkok, the capital city with an
expanding population of 2.3 million