Abstract:
The purposes of this study was to research Thai products export situation on the R3A route, factors affecting exporting, and to provide guidelines for the development of Thai exports to China through Chiang Khong district, Chiang Rai province. The study was both quantitative and qualitative research. The sample used for the quantitative research comprised of 26 Thai exports to China located in Chiang Khong, Chiang Rai province. The data was analyzed from questionnaires by using frequency, percentage, means, and the standard deviation method. The sample for the qualitative research comprised of 5 Thai exports to China who were in Chiang Khong, Chiang Rai province, 1 Chiang Khong customs officer, and 1 Chiang Rai Chamber of Commerce (CCC) officer. The data was analyzed through structured interviews to decide guidelines for the development of Thai exports to China through Chiang Khong district, Chiang Rai province.
Firstly, the study showed majority of business unit, it showed that the Thai National Exporting Limited Company invested less than 50,000,000 baht and there were less than 50 employees in the companies. The entrepreneurs transported the products by using their own companies vehicles, mostly semi-trailers. Also, agricultural goods were numerously exported to China.
In addition, the study revealed that, the greatest positive and negative factors affecting Thai exports to Yunnan province, Peoples Republic of China organizations, were their geographic environments. It lead to the results of deciding the guidelines for development of Thai exports to China through Chiang Khong district, Chiang Rai province were as follow;
1. Founding The Association of Thai Exporters in Chiang Khong area
2. Encouraging the negotiation between 3 local governments (Thailand, Laos and China) to decide how to repair and develop R3A route to be the international route so Thai exporting entrepreneurs could sustainably promote their competitive advantage in the current exporting business environment in Southeast Asia.