Thailand is gaining a reputation as the “Detroit of the East” for its booming automobile industry. It is now the world's third largest maker of commercial vehicles, behind only the United States and China and ranked ninth in total vehicle production.
Thailand Racing to Supply SE Asia’s Demand for Vehicles
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About 2.5 million cars and trucks will be built in Thailand in 2013. (Steve L. Herman/VOA)
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A robot helping to make a vehicle in a Honda factory in Thailand. (Steve L. Herman/VOA)
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Future expansion of the Thailand's auto production industry could be hampered by a labor shortage. But women are already a vital element of the workforce, comprising one nearly third of workers in some factories. (Steve L. Herman/VOA)
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Sparks fly as a robot helps to assemble a vehicle in a GM factory. (Steve L. Herman/VOA)