MBP Leather Industries Co, maker of Albedo-brand men's leather goods, is looking to expand further in Asean and cash in on opportunities from the formation of a single market late next year.
Mr Thawat shows off his Albedo leather goods collection.
The move is aimed at helping the company to boost export sales next year, chief executive Thawat Chiu said.
Established in 1982, MBP is looking for distributors in neighbouring countries after having set up agents in Indonesia and Malaysia.
It has already opened an office in Singapore to oversee regional distribution.
"Thai leather goods are high quality, and our Albedo brand is widely accepted in export markets, particularly in Europe," Mr Thawat said.
"So we're confident about expanding our presence in Asean."
The 20-year-old Albedo brand won awards at the Mipel Expo leather trade show in Milan, Italy in 2011 and 2014.
Mr Thawat did not disclose sales figure but said 75% of company sales were domestic and 25% from exports under original-equipment manufacturing contracts.
Sales growth of 6-7% is expected this year.
However, Mr Thawat admitted the global economic downturn, local slowdown and earlier political turmoil were slowing sales growth.
"Our sales should grow at a higher rate than this, but negative factors are holding it back," he said.
"But we expect to see a market improvement next year."
Mr Thawat said for exports, Europe remained weak, but Asia, particularly Southeast Asia, had much potential due to the upcoming Asean Economic Community, which is scheduled to kick off at the end of next year.
At home, local consumption will be stronger after the Prayut Chan-o-cha government injects funds next year to develop its megaprojects.
MBP will next year introduce an e-commerce channel to sell its Albedo men's leather products in Thailand.
Its leather goods include bags, briefcases, wallets and belts, all targeting urban males.
Mr Thawat, a former president of the Thai Leathergoods Association, said most local leather goods makers had spent time improving their organisations during the hard times this year.
They have not expanded production capacity this year but instead enhanced work efficiency and improved back office performance.
Effects from the daily wage increase to 300 baht are still being felt, as the leather goods industry is labour-intensive.
Many of the businesses have worked hard on the creative aspects of their products, coming up with attractive and stylish designs.
Some are trying to catch up with global trends by attending leather goods fairs in Italy or France.
"Thailand is considered the top leather goods maker and exporter in Asia," Mr Thawat said.
"We should not try to compete with China and its lower labour wages. What we should do is upgrade ourselves by adding more value and craftsmanship and target middle- and high-income buyers."