One explanation for this phenomenon is that Thais have become accustomed to the marketing strategies of international brand owners who try to introduce new collections at least twice a year, with the aim of preventing consumer boredom.

To boost market share, local furniture manufacturers should follow suit, said Apirom Kongkanan, an industrial designer and lecturer at King Mongkut's University of Technology Thon Buri.It is quite common in Western countries to see the launch of new collections being timed to coincide with the arrival of summer and winter in northern climate. Thai manufacturers should introduce their own new collections at the same time as international brand owners, and piggyback their offerings on the waves of enthusiasm created in the market by the bigger operators, he said.

For the coming autumn and winter 2005-06 collections, France-based Carlin International, one of the world's leading trend-setters, predicts that the most popular designs of the season will come under four themes: Aura, Voltage, Controversy, and Illusion.According to Carlin, Aura designs will reflect the individual's constant quest for comfort and improved well-being. Designs under this theme will be pure and minimalist, allowing a room's occupants to feel free and light. Such furniture will be pure and simple, with sofas in curved shapes and leather offering a touch of iridescence.

Voltage designs will bring the senses together to create new emotions. Technology, particularly electronic equipment, will be used to generate paired sense stimuli, such as touch and sound, or touch and sight. In furniture, functionality will be emphasised. Shapes will be simple and geometric with bright colours.

The Controversy theme rejects uniformity and places an emphasis on one's own style, allowing individuals to fully express his or her tastes and desires. Interior designs and furniture under this theme will tend to look feminine. Draught-screens, pedestal tables and romantic furniture with influences from the 18th century will make a comeback.

The Illusion theme will offer the illusion of an opulent, exceptional and theatrical universe livening up one's daily life. Such furniture will have much ornamentation, using quality materials to mimic copper, ebony or marble. Colours may range from chocolate gold to intense red.