Thailand is renowned worldwide when it comes to the production of one-ton trucks, with projected outputs of 853,000 units for this year alone. The said figure outpaced United States which according to J.D. Power Automotive Forecasting produces only 588,000 units of trucks.

Thailand is the second biggest market for trucks since it’s a common sight in rural areas where most farm products are produced. The domestic sales for this year are forecast at 510,000 units as compared to the 651,000 units forecast in the United States.

According to Vallop Tiasiri, director of the privately-funded Thailand Automotive Institute, “The strength of our truck industry lies in the size of our domestic market that makes production cost competitive. Our traditional political and labor stability also help.”

The Toyota plant has started operation last month and occupies 245 hectares or 605 acres of paddy fields, making Thailand as a major export base for small pickup trucks. Plant Manager Charnchai Suppayakom said, “We ship 4,000 right-hand drive Hilux trucks to Australia a month and another 2,000 of the left-hand version to Saudi Arabia.” He also added that the factory’s initial 100,000 annual production capacity can be quadrupled to answer any increase in future export demand.

ToMoCo’s third Thai facility has been able to increase annual vehicle production output to 550,000 of which 40 percent are shipped or exported overseas. The Thai facility will also be used to manufacture Toyota truck parts. The additional 2,000 workers at the Ban Pho plant bring Toyota’s Thai workforce to 13,500 of which 5,000 are permanent staff while the rest are hired on temporary contracts.

Despite the military coup last September in Thailand that has somewhat affected its image as an investment destination for global companies both the Japanese and US carmakers are determined in staying put. Somphob Manarangsan, an economics professor at Bangkok’s Chulalongkorn University said, “Japanese firms are investing more in China, but they don’t risk putting all their eggs in one basket. Thai plants are part of their diversification strategy.”

Thailand was able to produce 1.2 million vehicles last year and almost half of which were exported. Thailand’s vehicle tax structure that favors pickups over passenger cars makes the one-tonne truck the champion of the Thai auto industry. Inexpensive diesel has also helped to increase sales. Auto columnist Suphat Tisapong said, “Entry prices for pick-ups and passenger sedans are about the same here at around half a million baht ($14,285). But a pick-up comes with a much larger 2.5-litre engine compared with 1.5 litre for sedans.”

Aside from Toyota, Ford Motor Co, General Motors Corp, Nissan Motor Co Ltd, Mitsubishi Motors Corp, Isuzu Motors Ltd, and Mazda Motor Corp. have also opened factories in Thailand for their export vehicles and mostly have started building their plants after Asia’s 1997/98 economic crisis. Each of them has invested 140,000-180,000 trucks a year, exporting them to 100 countries from Australia and the Middle East to Europe and even reaching Latin America.

Automotive Resources Asia analyst May Arthapan said since most producers have already establish their plants in Thailand there would come a time that the export growth will slow down once output meets global demand . She also added, “The big export rise in recent years is a result of the relocation of production base to Thailand. Once this is over, we should return to more normal growth.”

Operational airlines are geared towards providing a hassle-free and safe sky travel. They offer passengers with the most convenient way of releasing airline tickets, boarding and unloading, baggage deposit services and tour assistance.

Thailand airlines deliver the high standards of flying tourists from all over the world. Thai Airways serve flights from Bangkok and Phuket to any point of destination cities in the US and Europe such as Los Angeles in California, Munich in Germany, Melbourne and Sydney in Australia, Rome in Italy, Paris in France, Madrid in Spain, London in the United Kingdom, Athens in Greece. Connecting flights via Doha in Qatar, Manila in Philippines and other Asian cities are also given as options.

Serving flights to and fro all continents of the world, Thailand airlines afford hospitality and high quality of services to every jetsetter. The eminent culture of congeniality is apparently seen in how the flight stewards reach out to their passengers. Because Bangkok is considered as the aviation hub of Asia, more flight schedules are opened by Thailand airlines to give the travelers wider choices to reach Thailand.

It is said that wherever Thailand airlines fly, the authenticity of Thai culture and heritage travels along with it. Cheap flights are now being offered online through international travel agencies. Online booking is the quickest and most convenient way to get your tickets at slashed rates. Lower than usual, air ticket prices are only enjoyed by those who link with Thailand’s accredited travel companies.

Although Thai has its own native tongue, Thailand airlines are competitive in terms of employing competent flight attendants who have the ability to speak the universal language. They are carefully trained and equipped with strong verbal skills using English as the medium of interaction.

There are more than 70 destinations in 40 countries now that Thailand airlines are flying back and forth. This goes to say that Thailand is keeping up with the world tourism trend of vacationing not only during summer but all seasons of the year. Whether it is for business or amusement, travelers seek to fly to Thailand to discover its cultured means, English education progress and eco-tourism boost.