It’s now been a year since our company joined the TMBA full of expectations for improvements in the Marine Industry in Thailand. Since we joined not much seems to have happened except for one meeting here in Pattaya and some further discussions between members.

In all fairness, I don’t think anyone can be blamed as there are several factors contributing to the slow pace of developments. If I look at our own business and the day-to-day activities I can see clearly that a lack of time is definitely a factor. As a business man my first and foremost priority should be to my company and its people, as this is what puts the food on the table and pays for my nice car at the end of the month.

Even though being active in the TMBA by spending time and resources will be beneficial in the future, it will still be several months, if not years, before the fruit can be picked however, I still have bills and salaries every month to pay. I am pretty confident that this is very much the same experience other business owners and managers have and therefore the TMBA’s “machine” only turns very slowly.

As a business owner I can definitely see the benefit of being involved in an organization aimed at improving the market environment here. However this is something that needs to be focused on more by dedicated individuals, which brings me to my topic for this discussion;

Can we, as business owners in the Marine Industry of Thailand, not consider “hiring” a small group of people capable and willing to properly run and lead the TMBA? By somehow having someone fully “employed” by the TMBA and leading it on a day-by-day basis I’m more optimistic that we’ll see more progress over the next year.