SMEs face increasing challenges. The
rise of the minimum wage to 300 baht per day
is a domestic factor that will directly affect
operating costs, especially for SMEs in the
services sector and in labor-intensive industries.
Another challenge is rising shortages of labor, as
more and more workers turn to self-employed
jobs, and as high turnover rates result from
skilled workers moving into larger industries.
Thailand’s integration into the ASEAN Economic
Community (AEC) will also have both positive and
negative impacts on SMEs. There will be more
opportunities for trade and investment, but at
the same time, pressures will increase