Thailand's Trade Research Articles

Operational factors of entrepreneurs influence the decision to choose the Thailand-Laos border trade: a case study of Nong Khai Province in Thailand.

The objective of this research is to study the operational factors that influence entrepreneurs' decisions to choose Thai-Laos border trade in Thailand's Nong Khai Province. The population used in this study is Nong Khai Province-based entrepreneurs that are members of the Office of Small and Medium Enterprises Promotion (OSMEP), which has a total of 1,066 members in 2021. The sample size: a total of 283 samples were obtained from the calculations, but to ensure the accuracy of the estimate, consequently 500 samples were used, and the samples were selected by simple random sampling, using a questionnaire as a study tool. Use the Logit model to analyze the data and present the findings with descriptive statistics. According to the study's findings, the overall operational factors were at a high level, with an average of 3.96. The majority, 57.80 percent, had border trade experience. The marginal effects of the costs of the products, the distance, and the time on the decision to choose the Thailand-Laos border trade are 0.179, -0.216, and 0.109, respectively. And all the variables in the Logit model could explain the likelihood of deciding on border trade equal to 52.40% (Pseudo R2 = 0.524).

Diverse contexts and social factors among young cisgender men and transgender women who sell or trade sex in Bangkok and Pattaya, Thailand: formative research for a PrEP program implementation study

ABSTRACT HIV incidence is high and persistent among cisgender men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women (TGW) who have sex with men, particularly among those who sell or trade sex. In preparation for an open-label combination HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) program for these groups, we conducted formative research to explore the context of sex work/trade and factors that affect implementation of PrEP interventions. This study analyzed interviews with 20 young (aged 18–26 years) MSM and TGW who sell/trade sex and three sex work venue managers in Bangkok and Pattaya, Thailand. Participants described diverse contexts of sex work/trade, including in multiple informal and formal sex venues. Several participants reported mobility across provinces and out of the country, which led to intermittent sex work/trade. TGW sex workers reported challenges with access and cost of femininizing hormones and limited employment opportunities. Factors that could facilitate or challenge PrEP program implementation included HIV stigma, the role of venue management in sexual health practice, lack of PrEP knowledge, lower perceived HIV risk, and interest in personal health and wellbeing. Program implementers must consider myriad factors to successfully implement PrEP among young MSM and TGW engaged in sex work or trade in Thailand.

Service innovation and employee engagement on marketing performance of retail modern trade in Thailand

Groups or chains of businesses prefer modern trade outlets. However, these business chains are affected by various factors that limit their performance. According to the current study, Service innovation and employee management have a significant impact on the marketing performance of retail modern trade in Thailand. Hence, the current study is aimed to determine the role of service innovation and employee engagement on the marketing performance of retail modern tared. It is observed that there is a direct relationship between service innovation, employee engagement, and marketing performance, however, market orientation and consumer service performance mediate the relationship between service innovation, employee engagement, and marketing performance. To obtain the results of the current study, primary data was collected by surveying 370 marketing managers working in various brands, organizations, and companies, in Thailand. Moreover, the collected primary data were analyzed by using statistical software named Partial Least Square (PLS) to achieve the results of the current study. It was concluded that increased value of service innovation and employee engagement results in an increase in the marketing performance of the retail modern trade in Thailand. The current study will help investors, marketing managers, and other brand ambassadors to increase their marketing performance.

Service innovation and employee engagement on marketing performance of retail modern trade in Thailand

Groups or chains of businesses prefer modern trade outlets. However, these business chains are affected by various factors that limit their performance. According to the current study, Service innovation and employee management have a significant impact on the marketing performance of retail modern trade in Thailand. Hence, the current study is aimed to determine the role of service innovation and employee engagement on the marketing performance of retail modern tared. It is observed that there is a direct relationship between service innovation, employee engagement, and marketing performance, however, market orientation and consumer service performance mediate the relationship between service innovation, employee engagement, and marketing performance. To obtain the results of the current study, primary data was collected by surveying 370 marketing managers working in various brands, organizations, and companies, in Thailand. Moreover, the collected primary data were analyzed by using statistical software named Partial Least Square (PLS) to achieve the results of the current study. It was concluded that increased value of service innovation and employee engagement results in an increase in the marketing performance of the retail modern trade in Thailand. The current study will help investors, marketing managers, and other brand ambassadors to increase their marketing performance.

Relationships between physical environment, ethnic authenticity, and willingness to pay in Thai select restaurants

ABSTRACT This study used Thai Select restaurants, which are restaurants recommended by the Thailand Trade and Economic Office, to explore whether customers’ willingness to pay after dining in a Thai Select restaurant is affected by the physical environment or ethnic authenticity of the restaurant. A survey was conducted using convenience sampling, with questionnaires distributed in front of Thai Select restaurants in the Taipei area. A total of 383 valid questionnaires were collected. The findings suggest that both physical environment and ethnic authenticity have a positive effect on customers’ willingness to pay. The findings can serve as a reference for restaurant operators of Thai Select restaurants and other ethnic restaurants in developing strategies to enhance the physical environment or ethnic authenticity of their restaurants.

Trade Promotion from Thailand to China As A Result Of a New Train Route

Objective - This paper aims to analyse the impact of the China-Laos railway on export trade from China to Thailand. The paper analyses the advantages and disadvantages of the new route and other routes base on driven factors, identifies what trade industry is suitable for this new route and provides some reference for Thai trade exporters. This will enable Thai export traders to understand the new transportation route formed by the railway and improve the trade volume and competitiveness of Thai products through this route. Methodology/Technique - Literature review method, secondary data method, in-depth interview method. Findings - It is found that the new route formed after the completion of the China-Laos railway has many advantages base on driven factors and many industries are suitable for the use of this new route. Novelty - Few people know much about the China-Laos railway, and even less about the analysis of its impact on Thailand's trade. The author's in-depth interview method allows him to get in touch with experts who are very relevant to the China-Laos railway, providing valuable insights. Type of Paper - Empirical. Keywords: Thai Products; Driving Factors; Route Selection; China-Laos Railway; In-depth Interviews; Secondary Data Method JEL Classification: F16, F18, F19.

TRADE LIBERALIZATION AND FIRM PERFORMANCE: THE CASE OF THAILAND

After the Asian Financial Crisis, Thailand's trade policy has been driven by the proliferation of free trade agreements (FTAs). We use firm‐level data to estimate the effects of reductions in tariffs applied to Thai imports on Thai firms. Reductions in Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) tariffs were associated with increasing firm employment and exports, lower ASEAN‐China import tariffs were associated with increasing firm employment, while lower tariffs from the Japan‐Thailand FTA were associated with reductions in firm employment and increasing likelihood of International Organization for Standardization (ISO) certifications. FTAs were associated with a decrease in firm R&D spending. (JEL F1, F2, F6)

Foreigners’ Attitudes Toward Individuals Who Sell Sex in Thailand: A Prototype Study

The role of sex trade in Thailand’s tourism and expatriate industry has been a common topic in professional literature and popular media for many years. With the rise of the global economy and the increasing foreigner population in Thailand, there is little doubt that foreign influence on Thailand has grown. However, little research has examined foreigners’ views and attitudes toward individuals who sell sex (ISS) in Thailand. The present study explored these attitudes using a prototype methodology. Participants were asked to supply characteristics and/or terms pertinent to their perception of an individual who sells sex in Thailand and to designate those terms as either positive, negative, or neutral. A total of 390 responses were collected from 81 participants and include two core ( determined, in need), two secondary ( people oriented, an irritation), and two tertiary ( exploited, distraught) prototype characteristics. Four of these characteristics were designated by participants as negative ( in need, an irritation, exploited, distraught), and two were designated as positive ( determined, people oriented) by participants. Differences between the foreigners who had purchased sex (customers; n = 38) and those who had not (noncustomers; n = 43) were also explored. Results of this study exemplify the complex views held toward ISS among foreigners and can be used to inform how foreigners may impact sex trade and treatment of ISS in Thailand, as well as future research and interventions to improve the lives and safety of ISS in the country.

Wildlife trade shifts from brick-and-mortar markets to virtual marketplaces: A case study of birds of prey trade in Thailand

The shift of wildlife trade from brick-and-mortar markets to virtual online marketplaces is reported using the trade of birds of prey (raptors) in Thailand from 1968 to 2019 as a case study. We analyzed data obtained from physical market survey data for 2,782 individuals from 27 species, with 2,420 individuals reported in early surveys (1968-1988) and 362 individuals reported in later surveys (2003-2015) and online surveys (February 2017 to January 2019). We compared information on asking prices and what species were traded using two comparative approaches to analyze how species composition may have changed over time (physical markets and online platforms; pre-Internet and Internet era). In comparison with the five previous market surveys, we did not find a statistically significant difference between species and availability of species offered for sale when comparing physical bird markets and online markets. In all data sets, biological factors such as wingspan were significant factors in explaining price variation. We conclude that sustained monitoring is needed to make direct comparisons between the trade platforms. With a continued increase of wildlife trade on online platforms, we recommend increased regulation and enforcement of wildlife trade laws.

Digital media and the modern-day pet trade: a test of the ‘Harry Potter effect’ and the owl trade in Thailand

Digital media and the modern-day pet trade: a test of the ‘Harry Potter effect’ and the owl trade in Thailand

Online media seizure reports: A tool to monitor CITES implementation in regulating the international rosewood trade

Rosewoods are a group of timber species exploited and harvested heavily in the region of Southeast Asia predominantly for luxury furniture consumption in China. In this paper, we demonstrate the use of online media seizure reports as a tool to monitor enforcement and CITES implementations of rosewood (hongmu) species using Thailand as a case-study.Three rosewood species are found in the region of Southeast Asia, including, Siamese rosewood (Dalbergia cochinchinensis), Burmese rosewood (D. bariensis), and Burmese paduak (Pterocarpus macrocarpus). We analysed 1895 independent seizure reports from January 2013 to December 2017. Despite Siamese rosewood accounting for the majority, we find that the other two species are also exploited for the same trade purposes through similar channels. The analysis suggests that while the border regions are key seizure activity zones, industrial shipping ports and sea-routes are also used to illegally export timber. The international scope of the trade in terms of unregulated movement of timber and humans poses regional security concerns. Inter-agency cooperation is vital in combatting the trade, both domestically and internationally.Current domestic enforcement is found to not coincide with international regulations such as CITES. The role of CITES in regulating the rosewood trade in Thailand is still not effectively acknowledged. It is imperative for individual countries in the region to strengthen domestic legislation whilst also increasing regional cooperation to effectively acknowledge and enforce CITES regulations. The methods used in this study are novel and can be applied for policy management, offering information in a real-time manner which may otherwise be unavailable for timber species.

NUMERICAL MODELLING OF RAILWAY EMBANKMENTS FOR HIGH-SPEED TRAIN CONSTRUCTED ON SOFT SOIL

Recently, several mass rapid transit projects have been launched to improve the logistics of trade in Thailand. The railway construction projects linked from Bangkok will be a challenging task for civil engineers since they are located on soft ground conditions. Consequently, an understanding of geomaterial properties and subsoil conditions is important in the design phase. This paper presents a numerical study of railway embankment behaviour when constructed on soft soil. Simplified finite-element modelling was performed to predict stability and deformation characteristics of railway embankments under high-speed design requirements. The construction materials, including ballasts and subgrade soils were selected and tested to characterise their engineering properties. It was found that existing railway embankment conditions exhibit a large degree of movement under a high-speed train load. The study recommends improvements of subgrade conditions, using methods such as cement stabilisation to enhance stability and reduce settlement of the railway embankments.

Changes in the trade of bycatch species corresponding to CITES regulations: the case of dried seahorse trade in Thailand

Exploitation for trade is one of the biggest threats to many species, especially for marine fishes. Trade regulations should, therefore, be effective in helping conserve marine fish populations. The Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), one of the few multilateral environmental agreements with enforcement capacity, has embraced a number of marine fishes in recent years. However, the impacts of such measures on wildlife trade have rarely been assessed. We conducted a case study of the dried seahorse (Hippocampus spp.) trade in Thailand to understand the trade of these species under CITES regulations. We carried out 203 semi-structured interviews with traders to estimate the economic scale of Thai seahorse trade, and compared perceived changes with official trade datasets. Even though most seahorses were incidentally caught, we estimated that dried seahorses could be worth US$26.5 million per year for Thai fishers. However, the total declared annual export value was only around US$5.5 million, and had decreased to US$1 million in 2013. Considering the economic value of seahorses, the large discrepancy between declared export volumes and catch estimates suggested that trade may be underreported. While official data shows the export volume decreased after the implementation of CITES listing in 2005, our respondents did not report a similar trend. In contrast, the prices of seahorses were reported to be increasing. Our study highlights the economic importance of marine fishes captured as bycatch and the importance of international and domestic management measures for the trade of bycatch species.

Thailand’s trade balance with each of her 15 largest partners: an asymmetry analysis

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to assess asymmetric effects of exchange rate changes on Thailand’s trade balances.Design/methodology/approachThe design methodology is based on the nonlinear ARDL approach of Shin et al. (2014).FindingsThe authors find strong support for the asymmetric effects of exchange rate changes on the Thailand trade balance with most partners, including the three largest partners, China, Japan and the USA.Research limitations/implicationsThe long-run asymmetric effects revealed that while baht depreciation will hurt Thailand’s trade balance with China, it will improve its trade balance with the USA and has no effects with Japan.Practical implicationsThe trade balance of different partners reacts differently to currency depreciation.Social implicationsA currency depreciation that improves the trade balance by promoting exports also helps to reduce the rate of unemployment.Originality/valueNo study has assessed the asymmetric effects of exchange rate changes on the Thailand’s trade balance with its major partners.

The impacts of Chinese direct investment in Thailand on the Sino-Thai bilateral trade

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impacts of Chinese direct investment in Thailand on the Sino-Thai bilateral trade. The economic relationship between Thailand and China has been strengthened through both trade and Chinese direct investment in Thailand for past decades. Design/methodology/approach – AR(p) model was used to examine the effects of Chinese direct investment on both Thailand exports and Thailand imports. Findings – This paper shows that Chinese direct investment in Thailand has contributed to the decrease of intermediate goods of Thailand exports to China. On the other hand, Chinese direct investment has contributed to the increase of finished products of Thailand exports to China. In addition, Chinese direct investment in Thailand has contributed to increase of Thailand imports from China. This suggests that strengthening cooperation for economic growth in either of the two countries can generate mutual benefits through trade. Research limitations/implications – The studies focus only on the effects of foreign direct investment (FDI) on trade, while the effects of trade on FDI are neglected. Practical implications – Policies should be devised to reduce reliance on exports of raw and semi-raw materials by turning on to final products with more value-added products and should improve the equality of infrastructure in the country to attract more FDI into the economy. Originality/value – This paper provides evidence that Chinese direct investment in Thailand is an important determinant factor of the rapid growth of the bilateral trade. It also shows that the appreciation of Thai Baht against Chinese RMB is associated with a decrease in Thailand trade surplus in the bilateral trade.

Labor Costs and Marginal Intra-Industry Trade: The Thailand Experience

Thailand’s international trade, exports in particular, expanded considerably after the major policy changes in 1990. According to this expansion, there was also a significant increase in intra-industry trade even though the major characteristic of Thailand trade is still inter-industry. However, intra-industry trade is hypothesized to reduce adjustment costs due to trade expansion and changes in trade compared to inter-industry trade. The main purpose of this paper is to examine the effects of increased Intra-Industry Trade (IIT) on the labor market adjustment cost, in view of the changes in Thailand’s pattern of trade over the post-1990 period. The study is focused on the hypothesis that Intra-Industry Trade (IIT) expansion entails lower factor adjustment costs (Smooth Adjustment Hypothesis-SAH). A dynamic panel data approach is employed. The results suggest a negative correlation between changes in employment and Marginal Intra-Industry Trade (MIIT) and confirmation of the SAH. Given the increase in IIT as a proportion of Thailand’s overall trade during the period under review, the adjustment in labor markets in the form of reduced employment from trade liberalization at that time is likely to have been less than that would have otherwise been expected.

Trade integration of Thailand with Mekong region

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the extent of the trade integration of Thailand with the Mekong region in comparison with its trade integration with the other major partners (advanced ASEAN, China, India, Japan, and the USA).Design/methodology/approachThe study adopts the gravity trade model as an analytical framework, for the period from the 1980s through the 2000s.FindingsIt is found that Thailand's trade integration with the Mekong region has remarkably grown from the 1980s to the 2000s, in the sense that Thailand's total trade with the Mekong region, which lies below the gravity‐model standard in the 1980s, exceeds the standard in the 1990s and the 2000s. However, it is also found that the intensity of Thailand's trade integration with the Mekong region is still behind that with advanced ASEAN even in the 2000s. It might come from the higher service‐link costs that prevent the Mekong region from being fully involved in the international production network.Originality/valueThe paper may be valuable to the policy makers and researchers in the Mekong region, since it contributes to reviewing the two‐decade progress of the regional cooperation of the Greater Mekong Subregion from such quantitative perspectives as trade integration.

US–Thailand trade at the commodity level and the role of the real exchange rate

Previous studies that have investigated the impact of real depreciation of the Thai baht on Thailand's trade flows have either used aggregate trade data between Thailand and the rest of the world, or between Thailand and its major trading partners. These studies have provided mixed results. In this paper, we disaggregate the trade flows between Thailand and its major trading partner, the US, by commodity and investigate the impact of currency depreciation on the export earnings of 118 American exporting industries and the outpayments of 42 American importing industries. While most industries are affected in the short run, the short-run results last into the long run in several small industries. The inpayments of large exporting industries and the outpayments of large importing industries are not affected. Economic activity seems to be the major long-run determinant of the performance of most industries.

Does AFTA Create More Trade for Thailand? An Investigation of Some Key Trade Indicators

This paper examines whether the ASEAN Free Trade Agreement (“AFTA”) creates trade for Thailand or actually diverts it away from the country. It does this by analyzing various trade indicators: the Export Similarity Index, the Intra-Industry Trade Index, and Revealed Comparative Advantage (RCA) rank correlation. By examining the patterns of trade between Thailand and other members of ASEAN, it reveals a high degree of similarity regarding the trade structure between Thailand and AFTA, which indicates that there will be fewer trade-creation benefits from AFTA and a greater likelihood of trade diversion once the AFTA scheme has been fully implemented. This similarity pattern explains the reasons for future collaboration among member countries and supportive arguments for the future extension of ASEAN (“ASEAN+”). Market-penetration and development strategies should be employed by Thai exporters when accessing the ASEAN market.

Misalignment of the Baht and its Trade Balance Consequences for Thailand in the 1980s and 1990s

This paper examines Thailand's pre‐crisis exchange rate policy, focusing on the degree of the country's real exchange rate misalignment pre‐crisis and its consequent effects on Thailand's trade balance with its two large trading partners, the US and Japan, in the 1980s and 1990s. Defining misalignment as the difference between actual and ‘equilibrium’ exchange rates, we estimate three key ‘equilibrium’ exchange rates of the Thai baht: (a) the real effective equilibrium exchange rate of the Thai baht against its twenty‐two major trading partners; (b) the bilateral real equilibrium exchange rates of the baht against the US dollar; and (c) the bilateral real equilibrium exchange rate of the baht against the Japanese yen.