Research On The Problems Of Thailand OTOP Enterprise Operation And Management In The Greater Mekong Subregion

"One Tumbon One Product(OTOP)" is one of the most important projects for"grassroots policy" by the Thai government in 2001.OTOP stands for "One Tambon(meaning sub-district)One Product".It aims to promote the unique products made by local communities,by utilising their indigenous skills and craftsmanship combined with available natural resources and raw materials.The Thai government provides communities with valuable assistance with regard to product development and opportunities to market products in a global arena.This project is also an important way to preserve traditional skills and ancient Thai heritage,which have been passed down through generations.OTOP offers an extensive range of exquisite handicrafts,quality agricultural products,food,beverages,gems,jewelry,textile,garments and so much more.Through this process,the Government helped producers create brand,to establish a management system and the corresponding marketing channels,to help them shift from family workshops to companies,and product sales throughout the country,as well as international markets.At present,the "one tumbon,one product" strategy has more than 10,000 kinds of products of the project,including Thai traditional garments,food,herbs,jewelry,and handicrafts.Thailand('s)OTOP policy was a great success and has been extended throughout Southeast Asian countries e.g.Malaysia,the Philippines,Indonesia,Laos and Viet Nam,(as well as some Southeast Asian countries are prepared to implement.)?However,in 2016,the integration of the ASEAN Economic Community(AEC)will make OTOP's development and operation more difficult,especially for Greater Mekong Subregion economic integration,as there is a competition for similar businesses.Thailand's OTOP will get to encounter with a crucial competition,opportunities and challenges while it still has some problems with the management.Therefore,in order to play a significant role in the international market,OTOP needs to be improved and developed in many ways.This paper aims to analyze the situation of Thailand's One Tumbon One Product and the effects by using SWOT in order to help the national OTOP business and investors find suitable ways and strategies to gain highest profits in GMS.There should be understanding among entrepreneurs and investors regarding business basis of Thailand and surrounding countries,e.g.politics,economy,culture and society as well as some problems since they all influence Thailand's OTOP business.This paper consists of six chapters.Chapter one includescitation,context,meaning,purpose of this paper and literature review.Chapter two mentions relalted theories.Chapter three states general managing and operating situation of Thailand's One Tumbon One Product business.Chapter four employs SWOT to analyze impacts on OTOP business in GMS.Chapter five suggests development for Thailand's OTOP in GMS.Lastly,Chapter six concludes and gives guidelines for the prospect,which help OTOP to benefit the upcoming competition,to develop strategies on every aspect,to promote and make OTOP "number 1" within the margin,and derive the highest profit for being a part of ASEAN.