Study on the Possibility to Decentralize Japanese Affiliated Manufacturers to Rural Provinces in Newly Industrial Countries

A Case Study of Electric and Electronic Industry in Thailand

Abstract

Industrial locations in Thailand are highly centralized to Bangkok and its suburbs regardless of decentralization policy continued by the Government, and this phenomenon has lead to many kinds of urban and rural problems. This paper analyzes locational tendencies and preferences of Japanese affiliated manufacturers engaging in electric and electronic industry in Thailand, and measures the possibility and the difficulty to decentralize high value-added manufacturing industries to rural provinces.