Issue 47

Leading furniture designers and manufacturers gather at the Thailand International Furniture Fair 2016 to showcase their latest designs.

In 2015, furniture exports from Thailand were worth more than 35 billion baht (US$1.05 billion), with the US, Japan, Australia, China and the UK as top destinations.

Organised by the DITP, the Thai Furniture Industry Club and the Thai Furniture Industries Association, the Thailand International Furniture Fair (TIFF 2016) featured more than 180 leading furniture companies.

“This year, both the US and China, two very important markets, are expected to significantly increase their furniture imports from Thailand,” says DITP Director General Malee Choklumlerd. “Therefore, the DITP believes that Thailand’s furniture export value will increase by 10% compared to last year.”

Held at the Impact, Muang Thong Thani from March 9 to 13 under the theme of ‘ASEAN Smart Living’, TIFF 2016 aimed to present high-quality furniture with fresh and creative ideas. Highlights of the event included the trendy I+D Style Cafe, Design Plant, Upcycling and the Young Designer Showcase.

A new scheme unveiled at TIFF 2016 was the Thai Kagu Project, a collaboration between the DITP and the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) to develop furniture for Japan’s elderly population.

“The active senior segment is seniors who are retired but still physically strong, most likely with grown up children who have moved away,” says Kohei Takata, CEO of L’Epice, a furniture product development expert and the designer of the Thai Kagu Project. The designs on display reflected the specific needs of seniors, from rounded-corner tabletops and furniture, to sturdy sofas and compact, lightweight furniture that seniors are able to move around without assistance.

Takata gave special lectures and consultations to participants on the project, which includes Thai furniture companies such as Salt and Pepper Design Studio, Deesawat Industries and Element 26, all of whom have manufactured prototypes of special designs showcased at TIFF 2016.

“Furniture manufacturers in Thailand understand the needs of the Japan furniture market much better than manufacturers in other countries,” says Takata. The criteria for choosing the ten Thai furniture manufacturers are their interest in expanding to the Japanese market, their ability to manufacture high-quality designs and their understanding of the design concept.

Among the many activities held at the TIFF 2016, the UPCYCLE Carbon Footprint: Green Marketing Strategy seminar by Assistant Professor Dr Singh Intrachooto, head of the Creative Centre for Eco-Design at Kasetsart University, was well received by visitors, especially students. To demonstrate its success in transforming waste materials into design products and furniture, the centre showcased over 30 upcycled products at the event.

“The new environment-focused products are certified with the Upcycle Carbon Footprint label,” says Intrachooto. “Thailand is considered the first country in the ASEAN region that promotes this certification.”

For more information, visit www.thailandfurniturefair.com

Information courtesy of the Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP)

Words by Pimsirinuch Borsub