Eastern Seaboard of Thailand
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Eastern Seaboard of Thailand is an emerging economic region, and despite its low profile, plays a key role in Thailand's economy, especially since the 1997 Asian Financial Crisis. It's importance lies in the fact that it is involved in export oriented industries, which has helped Thailand climb out of the financial crisis and has underpinned the Thai baht. High value goods such as Japanese branded automobiles are manufactured and shipped in the region, are among the many exports. The region comprises Chon Buri Province, Chachoengsao Province, and parts of Samut Prakan Province and Rayong Province.
[edit] Development
The rising economic importance of the region can be evidenced by central government commitment to the region's infrastructure development. Thai planners sees the region as strategically key as its close to the ocean as well as Bangkok, and its brand new airport.
Laem Chabang port, Thailand's largest and 20th busiest port in the world as of 2005, is located in the region, linked by the double decked Bang Na-Trat highway.
Two large infrastructure projects worth a total of 36 billion baht, both railways, have been approved on October 23, 2007, to be built to railway links up from Korat and Lat Krabang with Laem Chabang port.[1]
In addition, the recently completed 8 lane Chon Buri Bangkok Motorway, Thailand's first completed motorway, links it with Suvarnabhumi airport and Bangkok. In November 2007, Thailand's completed its second motorway, the Outer Ring Road.
The area is home to many huge industrial estates. Other than its manufacturing and shipping industries, it also has a diversified economy comprising of emerging tourism, construction, and retail industries. Pattaya, a major tourist city, is also located here, and is only second to Bangkok in Thailand for number of high rises. The region is also being promoted as a retirement area for wealthy foreigners.
However development hasn't come without cost. Serious problems resulting from pollution have plagued Map Ta Phut industrial estate in Rayong, an industrial zone for petrochemical and heavy industries that has suffered from heavy metal and organic phosphate poisoning. Area workers are among the highest paid in Thailand, often more than doctors, but also suffer many physiological ailments.
The region is also spurring independence from Bangkok as a major regional center in its own right. Rail service from Bangkok terminates at Pattaya, but more importantly, bus services may bypass Bangkok to the NorthEast and air service through U-Tapao International Airport is one of few that has direct service to Samui and Phuket by way of Bangkok Airways.
