The Thai Contractors Association under H.M. the King’s Patronage celebrates the 90^th anniversary of its contributions to the holistic development of the construction industry of Thailand. The association organises the seminar entitled “Future Construction 2019: BUILT TO LAST” focusing on the sustainable future of the Thai construction industry. The seminar includes the presentation of the achievements of the association in the past nine decades and its present goals. The association is proceeding with its efforts to develop the Thai construction industry in accordance with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations. For the purpose, it is promoting integration-oriented cooperation among all parties. Priorities in the efforts are labour quality, the management of human resources, governmental support for mutual benefits and technological application to enhance the capabilities of the construction industry.

Deputy Minister of Transport, Thaworn Senium kindly opens the seminar on “Future Construction 2019: BUILT TO LAST”. He says “The Thai construction industry has been developing thanks to Thailand’s location as the centre of the rapidly growing Southeast Asia, plentiful raw materials and flexible and ample business opportunities. These have been resulting in steady capital inflows into the country, job creation, business development and economic prosperity. The value of the Thai construction industry is likely to grow by 6.5% in 2019 compared to the figure last year. The 2019 growth rate is based on a 9% increase in the construction value in the government sector and a 3.5% rise in the private sector. From 2009 to 2017, investments in the Thai construction industry formed 8.4% of the gross domestic product. The Thai construction industry has won international recognition as it was ranked 32^nd in the World Bank’s Logistics Performance Index and 2^nd in Asia and 9^th in the world in the infrastructure category of the Global Competitiveness Report of the World Economic Forum (WEF). When the global economy depends on development in the East, Thailand, as the centre of the rapidly growing Southeast Asia, is thus an important factor. Therefore, it is really essential to develop the potential

of the Thai construction industry, which is a main mechanism for national development.  The Transport Ministry accordingly is committed to enhancing Thailand’s infrastructure particularly for transportation including highways, rural roads and road safety standard which are key to Eastern Economic Corridor or EEC.”

 Mr. Aungsurus Areekul, President of the Thai Contractors Association under H.M. the King’s Patronage, says “The association is determined to maintain the international competitiveness of the Thai construction industry. Today we are seriously working for the sustainable future of the industry in accordance with the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations concerning the goals of ‘No Poverty’, ‘Decent Work and Economic Growth’, ‘Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure’, and especially ‘Responsible Consumption and Production’. The association attaches importance to joint efforts among the government sector, the business sector and the labour sector because this will lead to mutual understanding, right measures and business processes, and the development that is truly beneficial to all parties.    The association has signed an agreement with UNICEF Thailand to join forces to protect the rights of children related to construction workers in Thailand. This will successfully lead to the good life of the society. Besides, the association and partners are developing construction technologies and business networks through the organisation of INTERMAT ASEAN, an international event comprising a trade show and international conferences and seminars on construction and infrastructures, in the past three years.”

“The association intends to promote three areas of sustainability in the Thai construction industry. The first area concerns labour challenges. They refer to the shortage, skills and rising cost of labour as well as the management of human resources that needs to be improved to develop workers with high potential and ensure the long-term growth of organisations. The second area deals with the roles of the government in supporting the efficient growth of the Thai construction industry. The roles involve policies, control on median prices, procurement regulations, labour-related measures, promotions for overseas investment, control on exploitation by foreign parties and management to ensure national benefits. The third area covers construction innovations to improve production lines and management that should be efficient, precise, reduce costs and time consumption,” says  Mr. Aungsurus.

The Thai Contractors Association under H.M. the King’s Patronage adheres to its roles in promoting balanced construction businesses that guarantee responsibility for the environment, the good life of everyone, legal operations, the adequate development of construction knowledge and skills, and inclusive cooperation based on understanding, unity and fairness. In the past 90 years of its services, the association played important roles in the development of the Thai construction industry. It has been bridging association members with the government in order to enable optimal state supports for all construction business doings. Furthermore, it organised training sessions to exchange knowledge, introduce construction technologies and innovations and let its members voice their opinions and problems. The association hopes that the construction industry will be stable, have its recognised forums, and work together with the government in a transparent and fair manner to develop relevant policies and directions. It expects contractors and personnel at all levels in the construction industry to have good systems and standards for the development of their potential. The association is determined to push for concrete achievements in the goals that will support the growth of the national economy, generate income for local workers and improve the life of Thai people.

It is a great honour for the organisers of the “Future Construction 2019: BUILT TO LAST” seminar to have Patai Padungtin, Chief Executive Officer of BUILK One Group, Thana Thienachariya, Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer of Siam Commercial Bank, and Professor Kitipong Urapeepatanapong, Chairman of Baker & McKenzie Ltd, who share their visions on the future of the Thai construction industry.

For more information on the Thai Contractors Association under H.M. the King’s Patronage, please visit www.tca.or.th