Issue 34

As Thailand’s tradeshows start to heat up, August proved an important month for those wishing to stay cool.

Regarded as one of the top five refrigeration, heating, ventilation and air conditioning trade events, RHVAC 2015 was held at BITEC Bangna Bangkok in August. It coincided with Bangkok Electric & Electronics 2015, an exhibition of the latest Thai electric and electronic goods at the same venue. The trade days for both events were held from August 13 to 15, with August 16 open to the public. 

Bangkok RHVAC featured 750 show booths representing 180 companies from Thailand and other countries including China, South Korea, Singapore, Germany and Malaysia. Bangkok E&E showcased the latest energy-saving innovations and eco-friendly technologies from Thailand and other leading producing countries such as Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, China, Singapore, Malaysia, India, USA and Europe.

DITP Director-General Nuntawan Sakuntanaga deemed the events a success. “Advertisements such as email direct marking on websites of related organisations worldwide and banners on both domestic and international websites have captured the interests of participants and visitors,” she said. “The events were held to cater to the growing Asian and international markets, particularly in terms of the upcoming ASEAN Economic Community.”

According to Jintana Sirisantana, president of the Air conditioning and Refrigeration Industry Club, part of the Federation of Thai Industries, in 2014 the country’s air conditioning and refrigeration industry expanded domestically by 6-7% from the previous year, to a total sales volume of 1.5 million units. In addition, exports of air conditioners, refrigerators and parts expanded by 9%.

“Thailand has a competitive edge with a strong supply chain as we can produce air conditioners with as high as 80-90% local content,” said Sirisantana. “Important materials such as copper tube and wire, aluminum fin and parts, including compressors, motors, condenser coils and fans are all locally produced.”

RHVAC also featured attractive activities, including an Innovation Product Showcase of local products with the potential to enter the international market, technical seminars, product presentations and prize giveaways.

As for E&E 2015, Visanu Limviboon, president of Electrical, Electronics and Telecommunications Industry Club, also part of the Federation of Thai Industries, said that Thailand’s main strength lies in its universality.

“We can produce any new innovative products for the world’s leading brand and we are also the production base of many well-known brands such as Sharp, Toshiba, Hitachi and Mitsubishi,” he said. “We have established THAICO, a joint venture of members in the [Electronics and Telecommunications Industry] club, with an aim to develop manufacturers of electrical and electronic products in Thailand. The THAICO brand can also be used as a marketing channel for SMEs, who can produce goods but are unable to afford the high cost of marketing activities.”

For more information, visit www.bangkok-rhvac.com, www.bangkok-electricfair.com, www.ditp.go.th

Words by: Manisa Phromsiripranee