T HA IL A ND
ABOVE: 44
Deep-sea ports are a focus for
development
THB1.5 trillion has been allocated for EEC development schemes in the next five years
The government has pledged THB1.5 trillion (US$43 billion) to be allocated to EEC development schemes over the next five years. A hefty portion of this will be poured into vast infrastructure projects to create a fully integrated transport network. This will foster connectivity in the EEC, but also give the country greater links with Cambodia, and ultimately help to sync with China’s massive One Belt One Road connectivity project. A key investment is the US$5.7 billion allocated to expand and improve U-Tapao International Airport – sometimes referred to as Pattaya airport – with a second runway, a third passenger and cargo terminal and the creation of the MRO Campus dedicated to aircraſt maintenance. Passenger capacity is expected to soar from a current maximum of 20 million to 60 million when complete, with a number of new routes already having launched. In January, for example, Qatar Airways became the first Middle Eastern carrier to launch direct flights to U-Tapao, with a three-times-weekly service. But predominantly, the air slots are being snapped up by mainland Chinese carriers: new services launched in the last 12 months include Hainan Airlines, Donghai Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines and Kunming Airlines. Major investment in the region’s busy deep-sea ports will also see dramatic expansions. Laem Chabang in particular will see THB150 billion (US$4.5 billion) spent to increase from 11 million teus (a measurement of cargo capacity) to 18 million teus per year, making it the world’s 15th busiest cargo port. Smaller but significant investments in Map Ta Phut and Sattahip will
SEP T E M B ER 2 0 18
see the creation of shipbuilding facilities and offshore oil rig assembly plants, as well as upgraded docking facilities for ferries, luxury yachts and international cruise liners. Investments in land transport infrastructure are also huge, with about THB200 billion (US$6 billion) allocated to the development of a new high-speed railway from Bangkok to Rayong, which will connect three international airports (Don Mueang, Suvarnabhumi and U-Tapao) within one hour. Additional dual-track railways and modern motorway expansions will further complement the new highly connected transport system.
ZONES OF INFLUENCE
In tandem with these heavyweight infrastructural upgrades, a slew of reforms are helping to shape the 13,000sq km EEC region into a vibrant future-facing business hub. Currently 21 “industrial promotional zones” have been designated, creating specialised industry clusters with a range of economic incentives. Among these are the EECi (Eastern Economic Corridor innovation zone) – a collaborative network spanning university, public and private sectors for scientific research into areas like robotics and biochemicals. Another is Digital Park Thailand, flagged as an economic and commercial centre with a focus on digital innovation – think IoT, AI, big data, virtual reality and smart devices, to name a few. The grand ambitions have already caught the attention of the international business community. “Since the introduction of this transformative policy, Thailand has welcomed large business missions from Japan, Korea, China and Hong Kong exploring investment opportunities,” reveals TCEB’s Yoswee.
bus ine s s tr a v el ler .c om
ALAMY
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84