MARKETING OF COFFINS IN CHACHOENGSAO PROVINCE

Abstract

Objectives of the study were to examine the production and marketing of coffin in Chachoengsao province. Data was gathered by employing the designed questionnaires to interview sampled coffin producers. Results of the study indicated that in 2003 all of coffin factories in the province were classified as small firms. The main material used for coffin production were wood-based panels and lumber at quantity of 13,995.84 and 9,119.55 ft³, respectively. The total producing number of coffins was 5,026. Problems related to coffin production were lack of fund, high raw material price, related official regulation, repetitive tax and lack of skill labour. Analysis of marketing mix analysis of coffin showed that, there are two coffin types namely Thai and Christian type. The length, width and height of coffins were ranging from 183-200, 45-52, and 40-50 cm. respectively. Coffin price depended on the lumber used for production, quality of decoration material, number of additional base level, and width. The distributions of coffins produced in the province were about 91.88 percent was available in retailers, the rest of 7.76 and 0.36 percent were directly sold to buyers and through affiliate in the province. Marketing promotion undertaken by the producers were transportation service, offer credit, dead body injection, price discount, and serving with free tea-leaves.