The Thai music industry is expecting a revival thanks to positive signs from streaming music providers and declining piracy.
Ronnapong Kamnuanthip, newly elected chairman of the Thai Entertainment Content Trade Association (TECA), said copyright violations had forced the industry to reduce its focus on physical music and move to a digital format.
Last year, the Thai music industry was valued at 4.28 billion baht, down from 4.42 billion in 2012. Of the total, 630 million came from physical music, 1.08 billion from digital music, 460 million from music licensing and 2.1 billion from concerts and artist management.
In recent years, the industry has been stable or slightly down due mainly to the impact from illegal digital downloads and pirated physical products.
"Interestingly, digital downloads have managed to rise every year, sharing 25% of the overall music market," Mr Ronnapong said.
Streaming providers include Deezer, KKBox, True Download, Spotify and YouTube, which recently opened a Thai domain. They help recording studios to access more end-users as smartphone penetration increases each year.
TECA predicts digital downloads will increase 30% this year.
Mr Ronnapong said piracy was declining thanks to cooperation among internet service providers in blocking websites that violate music copyrights.
He aims to strengthen music and intellectual property collaboration among operators and provide the public with knowledge related to copyrights and regulations in a bid to drive growth in the music industry.
Mr Ronnapong said the association would promote, protect and maximise Thai music copyrights and push for digital rights management.
Ang Kwee Tiang, regional director for Asia at the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry, said the global music industry would moving forward to the digital era.
Digital music accounted for only 14% of the industry in 2008 but the figure
rose to 26% in 2013. The proportion of physical music fell from 64% in 2008 to 41% in 2013.
"We should adjust ourselves in line with consumer lifestyles and provide easy access to music in every format," he said.
However, music piracy was still a big threat to digital downloads, so national regulators in each country should work together to strengthen network regulations.