An estimated 300,000 SMEs or 18% of die total are ready for and understand the AEC and its potential impact, but 1.38 million or 82% are unclear about the agreement and how it may affect their businesses.
Most Thai SMEs also said they lack die capital to upgrade their competitiveness as well as their language expertise, and most feel their business is too small to compete against regional rivals.
Most Thai SMEs said they lack the capacity to invest outside Thailand in the region, and called on a new government to disseminate more information.