Thailand hosts the World Print & Communication Forum during the upcoming Pack Print International trade show, September 20-23.
Leaders of the world’s major printing associations will attend the annual transnational WPCF board meeting, with members including Australia, China, Europe, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Nepal, Korea, South Africa, Sri Lanka, and the USA.
In conjunction with this meeting, a regional forum addresses emerging trends, as well as shifts and developments for the global printing and packaging industries. Speakers from various countries will discuss ‘The Pursuit of Sustainability and the Challenges Facing the Printing and Packaging Industries’.
The four-day Pack Print International 2023 exhibition will focus on areas including smart printing solutions, digital printing, premium design, automation, prototyping and more. Arranged with DRUPA and Interpack, it will feature new technology, machinery, products and services from the entire printing and packaging value chain.
Thailand’s printing industry is reported to be proving its resilience in the face of an ever-evolving digital landscape. As digital disruption reshapes consumer behaviour and industry operations, Thai printing businesses are leveraging technology, adapting and innovating to thrive.
Pongthira Pathanapiradej, president of the Thai Printing Association, says growth of the “supporting industry” is closely linked to the country’s GDP. Thailand currently has a GDP of 16.5 trillion baht (A$724 billion), with the printing and packaging industry accounting for approximately 1.8 per cent of this.
Integrating smart management systems, innovation, AI, and automation equipment to enhance production efficiency, reduce costs, and increase overall effectiveness will drive the printing industry forward, enabling Thailand to become a leader in printing and packaging within the ASEAN region.
“However, like any other industry, the printing industry faces ongoing challenges, particularly in terms of disruption in advanced technologies and media,” he says. “Certain segments, such as books, magazines, and newspapers, have been significantly affected as consumers increasingly opt for digital media platforms for reading purposes.
"Nonetheless, there are still segments within the industry that continue to experience growth. This includes areas like packaging and pocketbook printing. For instance, at the time of this interview - there is a surge in demand for inkjet billboard printing and campaign billboards, as Thailand enters an election period.
“Consequently, significant investments are expected in the signage industry and inkjet printing specifically for election-related materials, with an estimated value of approximately 20,000 to 30,000 million baht.”
Pongthira says the country’s printing industry in Thailand has predominantly grown from family businesses. “However, in the future, these family-run printing and packaging businesses will need to transform into small and medium enterprises, while the concept of SMEs will evolve to ‘smart management enterprises’, integrating smart management systems, innovation, AI, and automation equipment to enhance production efficiency, reduce costs, and increase overall effectiveness.
“This transformation will drive the printing industry forward, enabling Thailand to become a leader in printing and packaging within the ASEAN region, with Thailand’s strategic location within the ASEAN region providing an advantage.
“Surrounded by neighbouring countries within the AEC (ASEAN Economic Community), there is a demand for Thai products, and these countries have a keen interest in Thai offerings.”
The industry can contribute to Thailand’s ambition to become the ‘kitchen of the world’ by ensuring that printing and packaging align with the high-quality products exported to countries worldwide.
Pack Print International is being held from September 20-23 at Bitec, Bangkok.
More details from the Pack Print International and World Print Communication Forum websites.