General Motors selects Thailand for manufacturing plant

31st May 1996

General Motors Corp has chosen Thailand as the locale for the constuction of a major manufacturing plant. Closest competitor was the Philippines, but the vote went to Thailand, because of "the strngth of the domestic vehicle market, proven infrastructure, and well established suppier base", according to Donald Sullivan, head of General Motor's Asian and Pacific operations. A chuffed Chakramon Phasukavanich, Deputy Secretary General of Thailnd's board of investment, commented that Thailand was on its way to becoming the "regional auto hub in Asia". To residents and visitors who ply Bangkok's roads and traffic jams this must seem the understatement of the year, though of course Khun Phasukavanich is talking on a different level!

Things look good for employment and the auto industry in Thailand which has progressed fast in the last decade.