. /.  WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION   
G/SG/N/6/THA/3 
17 December 2012 
 (12-6908) 
Committee on Safeguards Original:   English 
  
 
NOTIFICATION UNDER ARTICLE 12.1(A) OF THE AGREEMENT  
ON SAFEGUARDS ON INITIATION OF AN INVESTIGATION  
AND THE REASONS FOR IT 
 
THAILAND 
 
(Woven Fabrics)  
 
  The following communication, dated 13 December 2012, is being circulated at the request of 
the Delegation of Thailand.   
 
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1. Date of initiation 
 
  A petition for a safeguard investigation pursuan t to Section 18 of the Safeguard Measures on 
Increased Imports Act B.E. 2550 (2007)
1 was lodged by the representative of domestic industry,  the 
Thai Textile Manufacturing Association (hereafter referred to as "TTMA") on the 14 February B.E. 
2555 (2012).  After carefully analyzing the petition by the Committee on Safeguard Measures 
established under Section 5 of the Safeguard Measu res on Increased Imports Act B.E. 2550 (2007), it 
was apparent that there is sufficient evidence to  justify the initiation of an investigation.  
 
2. Product concerned 
  The investigation was opened by the means of  a Notice of Initiation in the Royal Gazette on 
7 December B.E. 2555 (2012).     The product concerned is wove n fabric currently falling under the Thai Customs Tariff Codes 
5208 and 5513.   
 
3. Reasons for initiation  
 
 (i) The investigation was initiated following a petition from TTMA.  The petitioner 
accounts for 25.25% of the production of the product concerned in Thailand.   
 
 (ii) TTMA has provided sufficient evidence pursuant to Section 13 of the Safeguard 
Measures on Increased Imports Act B.E. 255 0 (2007) showing that imports into 
Thailand of the product concerned have an increasing trend since B.E. 2550 (2007). 
                                                      
1 B.E. stands for Buddhist Era.  There is a 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/3 
Page 2  
 
  Particularly, in B.E. 2553 (2010) the imports have increased by 58.28%, compared to 
the increase of imports in B.E. 2552 ( 2009) and to the production of domestic 
industry which increased only 2.85%.    
    (iii) Having evaluated all relevant factors, including the circumstances which led to the 
product concerned being imported in such in creased quantities, the increased imports 
have caused serious injury to the domestic industry in the form of losses and the decreases in the level of the share of the domestic market, sales, production and 
employment as well as the increase in the level of inventory. 
 4. Contact 
 
 For any question on the above proceeding, pl ease contact Ms. Mali Mahisarakul by e-mail 
(malim@moc.go.th ) or by phone (+662 547 4740).  
 
5.  Deadlines and Procedures 
  
 (i) Presentation of evidence, documents and opinions 
 
  Pursuant to the Section 19 of the Safeguard Measures on Increased Imports Act 
B.E. 2550 (2007), importers, exporters and any other interested parties who desire to 
present evidence, documents and opinions pert aining to the investigation shall submit 
their evidence, documents and opinions so stated in writing to the Department of 
Foreign Trade, the Ministry of Commerce of  Thailand within 15 days as of the date 
the Notification of Investigation has en tered into force (8 December B.E. 2555 
(2012)). 
 
 (ii) Hearing 
 
  All interested parties may also apply to be  heard by the Department of Foreign Trade, 
the Ministry of Commerce of Thailand within  15 days as of the date the Notification 
of Investigation has entered into force (8 December B.E. 2555 (2012)). 
 
 (iii) Request for Information regarding the petition 
  
 All interested parties willing to receive information regarding the petition for the 
determination of safeguard measure, shall request it in writing to the Secretariat of the Committee on 
Safeguards to the following address:      
Bureau of Trade Interests and Remedies 
Department of Foreign Trade 
Ministry of Commerce of Thailand  
44/100 Nonthaburi 1 Road, Nonthaburi 11000 THAILAND Telephone:  (662) 547-4740
 
Facsimile:  (662) 547-4741 
 
 
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