Thailand's security industry will jump 30% in value to US$100 million next year, with higher wages prompting companies to rely more on technology, says the Thai Security Association.

TSA president Kittichai Samittiwuttikul said the increase in the daily minimum wage to 300 baht nationwide on Jan 1 will include security guards.

This will prompt more companies to purchase digital products instead, especially considering the improved third-generation network and more advanced products available now, said Mr Kittichai, who is also managing director of the security firm SMC Group (Thailand) Co.

He said industry growth this year will come in at only 20% due to the global economic slowdown down and the fact that most planned government megaprojects have not yet started.

"Companies are turning to software solutions to replace security guards, so instead of using, say, 10 people to look after a building, with CCTVs you need only three guards," said Mr Kittichai.

Thailand is Southeast Asia's largest market for commercial security products including CCTVs, surveillance systems, access-control systems, alarms and smartphone systems.

IMS Research said the Asean security market is valued at $300 million, with Thailand commanding a 30% share.

Alarm sales are projected to double next year, while fire and earthquake safety system sales will increase by 15%.

Henny Beeber, chief executive and chief technical officer of the security firm AES Group Ltd, said the main growth sectors next year will be internet protocol (IP) and video surveillance.

"The vertical market for condos and other buildings is growing in Thailand, as well as for the transport sector including railways and airports, where tens of thousands of cameras are being installed right now," he said.

"When the IP infrastructure grows, you can put a lot of information on cloud storage, which will be considered a transgression in the next five years."

Sakchai Somsuk, the managing director of TSolutions Co, Ltd, the distributor of security and communication products, said there should be a set standard for security products in order to prevent people from using them the wrong way such as beyond specifications.

Parson Lee, managing director of the Taiwanese subsidiary of Messe Frankfurt New Era Business Media Ltd, the world's third-largest trade organiser, said while Malaysia and Thailand are Asean's largest security markets, the latter has more potential.

The company also expects Vietnam and Indonesia to achieve double-digit annual growth in the industry in the near future.

It has set up its own security subsidiary. Mr Lee said all security products are imported into Thailand, as there is no local manufacturer.

Brands available locally include Honeywell, Bosch and Axis from the US and Europe, with other products coming from Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and China.

Messe Frankfurt and TTF International Co will co-host Secutech Thailand 2013 at the Bangkok International Trade and Exhibition Centre on Bang Na-Trat Road from July 3-5.

Mr Lee said while Thailand is a major player in the security industry, further education about security products among the public is still needed.

"Every government promotes homeland security, and society demands a high level of protection," he said. "The market is there _ the question is how to move the market."