BRIEFING: An overview of Thailand’s clothing industry

The production of textile, knitwear and garments is the largest manufacturing industry in Thailand. It has been one of the kingdom's top export earners since 1985, with annual exports of textiles and clothing accounting for more than US$6bn per year, making this the nation’s second leading export industry after the export of automatic data processing machines. This month’s briefing provides an insight into the industry’s current situation, in terms of employment, production, exports, technology, brands and the effects of the tsunami on the country’s clothing business. It looks to the future and outlines factors such as free trade agreements, reinvestment in the industry, and initiatives from the department of export, devised to aid growth and prosperity. The briefing also provides profiles of the leading knitting and clothing companies, including turnover, exports and company history.