G/SG/N/6/THA/5  
 
9 February 2016  
(16-0858)  Page: 1/2  
Committee on Safeguards  Original: English  
 
 NOTIFICATION UNDER ARTICLE 12.1(A) OF THE AGREEMENT ON 
SAFEGUARDS ON INITIATION OF AN INVESTIGATION AND REASONS FOR IT  
THAILAND  
(Structural Hot Rolled H-Beam with Alloy) 
The following communication, dated 9 February 2016,  is being circulated at the request of the 
Delegation of Thailand. 
 
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A petition of a safeguard investigation pursuant to Section 13 of Safeguard Measures on Increased 
Imports Act of Thailand B.E. 2559 (2016)
1 was lodged by the domestic industry (Siam Yamato 
Steel Company Limited). Following due consideration of its petition, the Committee on Safeguard 
Measures of Thailand announced the initiation of safeguard investigation on imports of Structural 
Hot Rolled H-Beam with Alloy on 4 February 2016. To this end, Thailand hereby notifies the Committee on Safeguards of the above-mentioned initiation. 
 
1. Date of initiation  The investigation shall commence one day following the date of publication of the Notice of 
Initiation in the Royal Gazette, i.e., effective as from 4 February B.E. 2559 (2016). 
 2. Product concerned 
 
The product concerned is Structural Hot Rolled H-Beam with Alloy and currently classifiable in the Thai Customs Tariff Code at subheadings: 7228.70.10000 and 7228.70.90000. 
 
3. Reasons for initiation of investigation  The investigation was initiated following a petition made by Siam Yamato Steel Company Limited 
whose collective output constitutes a domestic industry of the product concerned in Thailand. 
 The petitioner has provided sufficient evidence of a surge in imports of the product concerned 
showing that the volume has increased in abso lute terms from 10 tons in 2010 to 2,180 tons 
in 2012 and to 3,376 tons in 2013. It has continued to significantly rise up to 35,506 tons in 2014.   
Meanwhile, based on a preliminary assessment of all relevant factors on the situation of the 
domestic industry concerned, especially the increase  in market share of the imports, the change in 
domestic sales, production, productivity, capacity utilization, profitability and employment, it was 
found that the increased imports of product concerned have caused or threaten to cause serious 
injury to the domestic industry in the form of a decline in market share, sales volume, productivity 
and capacity utilization.  
                                               
1 B.E. stands for Buddhist Era. There is difference of  543 years between a B.E. year and an A.D. or C.E. 
(Anno Domini (“year of the Lord”) or Christian Era) year; hence, as noted in parentheses, B.E. 2550 is the equivalent of A.D. or C.E 2007. G/SG/N/6/THA/5 
 
- 2 - 
 
  4. Deadlines and Procedures 
 All relevant importers, exporters and any other interested parties wishing to present evidence, 
documents, views or comments pertaining to the investigation shall submit the aforementioned 
information in writing to the Department of Foreign Trade, Ministry of Commerce of Thailand, or 
apply in writing to attend the public hearing organised by the latter authority within 15 days as of the date the Notice of Initiation has entered into force (4 February 2016).  
 
All interested parties willing to receive information with regard to the petition for the determination of safeguard measure shall submit a request in writing to the Secretariat of the Committee on Safeguards to the following address: 
 
Department of Foreign Trade (DFT), Ministry of Commerce of Thailand 
563 Nonthaburi Road, Bangkasor, Meung Nonthaburi 11000 THAILAND 
Telephone: (662) 547-4722 Facsimile: (662) 547-4741 
 
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