US embassy cable - 04BANGKOK6994

UNCLAS BANGKOK 006994 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE/EB/TPP/ABT EDWARD HEARTNEY 
COMMERCE/ITA/OTEXA MARIA D'ANDREA 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ECON, ETRD, EAGR, TH 
SUBJECT: TRACKING CHANGES IN TEXTILE AND APPAREL: AMEMBASSY 
BANGKOK RESPONSE 
 
REF: STATE 184238 
 
1. This report responds to information requests contained in 
reftel on "Tracking changes in textiles and apparel 
employment and production after quota elimination." 
 
2. Total textile and apparel production in USD value: 14.34 
billion USD (down 3% from 2002). 
 
4. Share of textiles and apparel of total Thai exports: 
      2001 -- 8% 
      2002 -- 7.5% 
      2003 -- 6.8% 
      2004 (Jan to August) -- 6.6% 
 
5. Total manufacturing employment in Thailand is estimated to 
be 1.1 million. 
 
6. Total textile-related employment in Thailand is estimated 
to be 773,337. Textile employment is usually 70-80% of total 
manufacturing employment. 
 
7. As one of the largest sources of manufacturing employment 
in Thailand, the textiles and apparel sector is important. 
There are reportedly 4570 textile and apparel factories in 
Thailand, most of which are SMEs. However, several big 
factories account for 80% of total production. While most 
factories are engaged in garment assembly, there are 8-10 
large spinning mills relying on imported yarn. 
 
8. The RTG collects information on an annual basis. 
 
9. The RTG is generally able to collect accurate figures on 
formal sector employment. However, measuring informal sector 
employment -- where significant numbers of textiles and 
apparel workers may be found -- is a challenge. 
JOHNSON