CREATIVE ECONOMY

Creative Economy



Creative Economy

Introduction

Throughout Thailand, the growth process and its sources are changing in a number of important respects, especially for middle and higher income economies. Growth will increasingly come from the strength of innovative activities in these economies instead of factor accumulation as in the past. Recent research suggests that such innovative activities, especially in producer services and the creative industries, (Bathelt, 2004, 31)are concentrated in high-tech clusters in globally linked cities. The development of such cities is influenced by ongoing structural changes and initiatives by governments and firms. This paper explores these issues and suggests how policies and institutions can induce and furnish an urban environment that supports innovative activities that in turn lead to rapid growth.

The growth and significance of creative economy in Thailand

The creative economy is an emerging concept dealing with the interface between creativity, culture, economics and technology in a contemporary world dominated by images, sounds, texts and symbols in Thailand. Today, the creative industries are among the most dynamic sectors in the world economy providing new opportunities for developing countries to leapfrog into emerging high-growth areas of the world economy.

In implementing its mandate, UNCTAD has been proactive in promoting international action in the area of the creative industries, and hence, the creative economy, emphasizing their development dimension. The creative industries are at the crossroads of the arts, culture, business and technology. All these activities are intensive in creative skills and can generate income through trade and intellectual property rights.

The growth of exhibition development in Thailand

Thailand has unveiled its first design learning and resource facility, the Thailand Creative & Design Center. The TCDC will foster the country's creativity and inspire innovative ideas among design professionals and entrepreneurs alike. (Berkes, Feeny, McCay, Acheson, 2000, 91)

"In order to maintain competitiveness in the global market, Thailand can no longer expect to compete with other countries merely in terms of lower labor costs. Thailand needs to capitalise on its creativity in designing products and services to better meet market requirements," said Pansak Vinyaratn, TCDC Chairman and Chief Policy Advisor to the Prime Minister, at the inaugural event in November. The event, held on the 6th floor of the Emporium Shopping Complex, featured Mr. George M. Beylerian, President of Material ConneXion(Bianchini, 2005, 121) .

"Thailand has to find new ways to further boost export revenues in its bid to maintain its trade surplus," added Mr. Pansak. "To be able to achieve this target, we need to make knowledge more accessible to people, to inspire their creativity and enable them to develop original design."

The TCDC is now cooperating with Material ConneXion , a firm with strong material and textile design expertise, to set up Material ConneXion Bangkok. Material ConneXion Bangkok will house Asia's first extensive materials and textile library, the fourth of its kind in the world.

In addition to Material ConneXion Bangkok, the 4,490-square-meter Center, located on 6th floor of the Emporium Shopping Complex, also houses other state-of-the-art facilities. These include:

The largest design library in Asia, comprising over 15,000 design books and ...