Today, Chalumpon Lotharukpong of VT Garment and the Thai Garment Manufacturers’ Association (TGMA) had the honour of meeting Khun Arada Fuangtong, Director-General of Thailand’s Department of Foreign Trade, to discuss the outlook for Thai garment exports.
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When government and industry work together on shared data and insights, the results can be excellent, and today’s discussion was a good example of that.
Thai garments remain resilient. Geopolitical pressures have shrunk the major markets. In the first eight months of 2026, US apparel imports fell 7.1% (OTEXA) and EU apparel imports fell 3.8% (Eurostat). Even so, Thai garment exports are expected to hold steady this year, following 5% growth last year.
The EU–Thailand FTA is a game changer. Negotiators have now agreed 16 of the 24 chapters. The remaining 8 are expected to be completed in two rounds: November in Brussels and December in Bangkok. The target is for the agreement to take effect by mid-2028. Once in force, it is expected to lift Thai apparel exports to the EU by 20–57% within five years. Brands are already paying attention. TGMA and the Apparel Sourcing Club, Germany, are co-organising a business matching event between Thai manufacturers and European brands, including Hugo Boss and Vaude.
Building a complete textile value chain in Thailand. Taiwan’s textile industry leads the world in high-performance functional fabrics made sustainably, which complements Thailand’s strength in garment manufacturing. Our petrochemical base on the Eastern Seaboard can supply the polyester and nylon feedstock behind these fabrics. Together, this creates a real opportunity for a fully integrated chain in Thailand: polymer → fibre → fabric → garment. That chain is exactly what EU buyers and FTA rules of origin reward. Members of the Taiwan Textile Federation have shown strong interest, and TGMA looks forward to welcoming them to Thailand. The meeting also covered how investment conditions, including foreign ownership rules, could be made more attractive to upstream investors.
What this means for VT Garment. As a Thai manufacturer specialising in functional outerwear, sportswear and protective equipment, we see a clear opportunity here. A stronger local supply of sustainable, high-performance fabrics, combined with preferential access to the EU, will help us serve European partners better, faster and more sustainably. We welcome conversations with brands looking to grow with a reliable Thai partner.
Thank you, Khun Arada and the Department of Foreign Trade team, for the open and constructive dialogue. Thailand is ready, and so is VT Garment.
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