Change, readiness and adaptation of manufacturing sector in Thailand in the era of the fourth industrial revolution: A case study of manufacturing sector in Thailand

Abstract

This research aims to study the changes, readiness and adaptation to the technological development in the 4th Industrial Revolution era of the manufacturing industry in Thailand and how it affects the industry, politics, economy and society of the manufacturing industry in Thailand through the perspectives and visions of executives or business owners in the manufacturing industry in Thailand. Qualitative research was used and 20 key informants were interviewed, including 5 representatives of the Federation of Thai Industries and 15 business owners or executives in the manufacturing industry. The research results found that technology in the 4th Industrial Revolution era has changed the production process of Thailand. The small, medium and large manufacturing industries are not ready and have the competitive ability to transform through technology because they do not receive support from the government and have to adapt by relying on importing technology and raw materials from the industrial sector of the People's Republic of China, causing the People's Republic of China to completely dominate the small, medium and large manufacturing industries. In addition, Thailand's manufacturing industry has encountered a new form of threat called "Cyber Threats".