Organizers Say Thai Auto Show Must Go On

Coordinators of the 28th Thailand International Motor Expo vow flood waters slowly engulfing parts of Bangkok will not wash out the Dec. 1-12 event.

Organizing Chairman Kwanchai Paphatphong says in a statement the show will not be canceled because all parties have worked throughout the year to prepare for it.

Honda plant still submerged in water.

Construction contractors, auto makers and accessories vendors all are ready to proceed, he tells the Bangkok Post.

More than 1 million people are expected to attend the show, down from 1.6 million forecast earlier.

But the event will provide a diversion from battling the capital’s worst flooding in 69 years. “They can shop for new cars to replace their flood-damaged vehicles,” he says.

Although 36 car brands are confirmed for the show, Kwanchai says new-vehicle orders likely will miss the auto makers’ 30,000-unit sales target.

That’s because of the uncertainty over when parts supplies can return to normal operations, allowing auto makers to resume full production.

Kwanchai compares Thailand’s situation to what followed the March earthquake and tsunami in Japan: short supply and overwhelming demand.

But he argues the Thai flooding is more severe for ithe ndustry because Thailand is a global automotive hub.

The Thai Auto Parts Manufacturers Assn. tells the National News Bureau of Thailand that both domestic and foreign companies are worried about the government’s lack of a clear policy and slow response to their problems, which they attribute to political disunity.

The news agency says association members will ask the government to approve a minimum 6-month tariff exemption for imported auto parts and equipment.