Setting forth as a player on the global front

Managing director Pongchai Amatanon said the company planned to debut 10 information-technology and electronics products, such as an IP-phone device, multiservice access node, e-meter device, area traffic-control system/intelligent communication and transportation system, in the international and domestic markets this year.

 "We now have more than 200 researchers and developers developing new products. We have the ability to develop new products to meet customer demand and even develop tailor-made products and solutions at competitive prices," Pongchai said.

The company will implement a digital subscriber-line access multiplexer to support 200,000 TOT high-speed Internet access lines. Forth also manufactures circuit boards for international brands like Western Digital.

"The company has product lines that cost 20-30-per-cent less than international brands. Therefore, we can compete with international products," Pongchai said.

 He said the company would spend Bt100 million a year to support new research and development.

It presently exports products to more than 10 countries, including India, Laos, Turkey, Malaysia, Singapore and Vietnam. It plans to expand its market to the Middle East and other countries, such as Russia and has supplied products through indirect channels to Europe and the United States.

"Even though we have no local competitors, we compete internationally in the telecom-equipment segment with companies like Alcatel and Siemens," Pongchai said.