The agency quoted Deputy Industry Minister Piyabutr Cholvijarn as saying that as a member of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation group, Thailand had pledged to adopt GHS by the end of 2008.

GHS refers to the use of a unified common method of classifying and labelling hazardous chemicals.

The objective of this international effort is to promote common, consistent criteria for categorising chemicals according to their health, physical and environmental hazards.

Besides preventing hazard in the society, GHS will help boost the competitiveness of Thai products in the world market, as import-receiving developed countries have become more concerned regarding environment and work safety problems.

Chemical substances used in Thailand's industrial production sector amounted more than three million tonnes in 2004 while the combined import-export of the substances totalled over 1,000 tonnes monthly, Piyabutr said, adding that it was necessary to put better safety measures in place, especially for the transport of hazardous goods.

Thailand's key industrial goods - which now include computers and computer parts, electrical appliances, textiles and food - currently capture about 30 per cent of total exports and are equivalent to some Bt1.5 trillion in earnings.Without the standards now imposed by several Western countries, Thailand's exports of industrial goods would be affected.Consistent hazard identification and communication tools, such as improved labelling and material-safety data sheets, are also intended to be a part of the system.

Meanwhile, Thailand's local information technology industry expanded 12.6 per cent this year and is expected to grow by a further 15 per cent next year, boosted by a disbursement of the government's budget and stable fuel prices, according to an industry executive.

Viboon Vongveerachaideja, president of the Association of Thai Computer Manufacturing, said the IT industry enjoyed growth of 12.6 per cent with total value of Bt141 billion this year, led by software and hardware products, computer services and data communication equipment.

He predicted that the IT industry would continue to grow next year by 15 per cent with a total value of Bt162.7 billion, bolstered by an expected economic growth of 4-5 per cent due to the disbursement of the state's investment budget, stable oil prices and an expected decline in inflation and interest rates.

These factors, he said, could boost consumer confidence in spending on goods and investing in permanent assets.

Viboon said that small and home offices, education institutes, state agencies and individual users were expected to spend highly on IT.

Their purchasing power is likely to increase next year since the political situation has improved and fuel prices have begun to

drop.