Joint Committee Approves 30 Development Projects in Thailand's Upper Northeast

Photo: Bangkok Post

A public-private joint committee has greenlit 30 development projects with a total investment of over 16.4 billion baht set to transform the upper Northeast region of Thailand. The cabinet is poised to review these initiatives for budget approval during a mobile meeting in Nakhon Phanom, as confirmed by Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungruangkit.

Out of the proposed developments, nine projects are ready for immediate rollout. Among them are efforts to enhance the Mekong River's landscape in Nakhon Phanom's Muang district, create the Geo Park Centre in Tha Uthen district, and advance Sakon Nakhon as a hub for the creative economy. These projects, a mix of provincial and private sector initiatives, are each valued at 200 million baht, with an expected funding request of 400 million baht from the central fund for the 2025 budget.

Deputy Transport Minister Manaporn Charoensri highlighted that these nine projects focus heavily on tourism and infrastructure, with completion anticipated within a year. Minister Suriya noted an additional 21 projects, collectively worth 16 billion baht, which await prioritisation by relevant agencies before cabinet budget requests.

The committee also endorsed the R12 land route project, which enhances transportation connectivity between Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, and southern China, facilitating broader trade opportunities.

Ahead of the cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and ministers visited several key sites in Sakon Nakhon's Muang district, including Bueng Nong Harn Lake and Don Kern Park. Bueng Nong Harn, the largest freshwater lake in the Northeast and the second largest in Thailand, plays a crucial role in local biodiversity and as a resource for community livelihoods.

The focus on sustainable utilization of these natural resources aligns with the government's emphasis on preserving balanced ecosystems for community benefit. As part of her visit, the prime minister was briefed on local efforts to leverage this biodiversity sustainably, underscoring her administration's commitment to ecosystem-friendly development strategies.

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Bangkok Post 2025-04-30