"We should not be only sub-contractors for international brands or use pricing to compete with garment products from China. The creativity of Thai designers is second to none in the world and we should add it into our fashion products," she said.

If Thai garment producers are not serious about adding design creativity or building their own brands, Thailand will lose its competitiveness in the global garment industry within five years, she added.

"Some other countries like Malaysia and Indonesia, whose fashion designs are not as good as Thais, are thinking about this issue as well. If Thailand is too slow to move in this area, we will stay behind them in the future," said Ms Netpreeya.

In her view, Thailand should try to benefit more from the Asean Free Trade Agreement's zero tariff for the garment industry. A Thai firm with an internationally accepted brand could manufacture in and export from a country with low labour costs, gaining from exports although the products are made abroad.

The Office of Product Value Promotion also has the Designers' Room project to help match designers with garment producers.

"Young Thai designers can come up with their design pieces. If some producers are interested in any collection, they can buy it to apply with their products or co-invest with the designers to make the products for commercial purposes," she said.

Designers participating in the Designers' Room can showcase their works at the BIFF & BIL 2010 from April 1-4 at Impact Muang Thong Thani.

Last year's garment exports fell by 12.6% from 2008 to 101.07 billion baht, due to the global slowdown and domestic political instability. Only 10% of export value came from Thai brands, with most exports being under OEM contracts.

But Thai garments are well-perceived in three leading markets: the US, the UK and Japan, said Ms Netpreeya. Thai garment exports to the US rose by 40% last year due to the United States granting GSP status to Thailand. Garment exports to the UK went up by 6% last year and European clients were more confident in Thai products than Chinese ones.

A bilateral trade agreement under the Japan-Thailand Economic Partnership Agreement (JTEPA) also prompted an improvement in garment exports to Japan last year.