Five border areas to be developed as special economic zones

[Lite Beer]

Five border areas to be developed as special economic zones
By Digital Content

BANGKOK, July 19 -- In an attempt to improve the livelihood of people living along the border and promote border trade, a committee has agreed to develop five border areas as special economic zones, said leader of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) and army chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha.

Gen Prayuth said during his weekly TV address late Friday that the Policy Committee on Special Economic Zone Development on Tuesday has acknowledged progress of the National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB)'s study on strategies for special economic zone development at 12 border areas nationwide.

The meeting has agreed on the 5 potential border areas to be developed as Thailand’s first special economic zones, which were Mae Sot, Aranyaprathet, Trat, Mukdahan and Sadao (Sadao-Padang Besar Customs Checkpoints).

This was to prepare for the realization of the ASEAN Economic Community in 2015.

The development of special economic zones would emphasize achievement of development goals, both from an economic and security perspective, competitiveness enhancement, increasing employment and people’s well-being, halting of illegal migrant workers entering the country, prevention of illegal agricultural products smuggling from the neighboring countries, and decrease of congestion at border checkpoints.

In addition, the meeting approved criteria and measures for the establishment of special economic zones, including investment privileges, one-stop service centres, measures on migrant worker employment, and development of infrastructure and customs checkpoints in the potential areas to support activities related to special economic zones and enhance efficiency of regional connectivity.

On tourism promotion, Gen Prayuth said the NCPO has decided to waive visa fee for Chinese tourists wishing to visit Thailand for three months as part of the 40th anniversary celebrations of diplomatic relations between the two countries. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2014-07-19

[FangFerang]

All the Thai businessmen have been begging for more tourists from China because they behave so well and tip so generously.

[Choonpon]

More chinese tourists meaning more dirty toilets...

[trainman34014]

I thought the border area's were already 'special economic zones'.....for drug runners, gun runners, fake branded goods, people trafficking, rose wood smuggling....oh; and not to forget live dog meat movements. How much more trade can these area's cope with when they are already so overworked ? Lol.

Edited July 19, 2014 by trainman34014

[Morakot]

The development of special economic zones would emphasize achievement of development goals, both from an economic and security perspective, competitiveness enhancement, increasing employment and people’s well-being, halting of illegal migrant workers entering the country, prevention of illegal agricultural products smuggling from the neighboring countries, and decrease of congestion at border checkpoints.

Does something completely different than what it says on the tin!

Special economic zone does not usually mean regual measurements to aviod a "failed state".

[EricBerg]

..."including investment privileges, one-stop service centres, measures on migrant worker employment, and development of infrastructure and customs checkpoints in the potential areas"...

Sounds like a great opportunity to do some serious testing in facilitating investments. Many potential investors back out because of the many unforseen rules and people popping up with one mutual characteristic: invest more money in non-productive matters. I would love to read what the one-stop service centers are meant to be, but they suggest efficiency and less fuzz or under the table money.

[Now or Never]

Good work General Prayuth.

The southern border has been neglected for 10 years and needs the attention you are prescribing.

[Prbkk]

...approve the canal and you will be remembered, positively, forever...

[ginjag]

...approve the canal and you will be remembered, positively, forever...

Something in what you say.

Problem with canals in Thailand --they STINK, open sewers, rats, try a water taxi from Watergate, gas masks please. They cannot for the 33 years I have been around here take care of what they have.

These designated areas will be good for business (controlled) more honest border security and no problems.

[Hobiecat]

I thought the border area's were already 'special economic zones'.....for drug runners, gun runners, fake branded goods, people trafficking, rose wood smuggling....oh; and not to forget live dog meat movements. How much more trade can these area's cope with when they are already so overworked ? Lol.

Wow, there's so many of you on this forum that just need to go home.

[belg]

now if they would open the first 5 casino's , that would be world news and bringing in some (tax) cash to pay for all the scams

[sanuk711]

All the Thai businessmen have been begging for more tourists from China because they behave so well and tip so generously.

They have got to eat somewhere-----they have got to sleep somewhere, & they will spend money, its probably true that they wont be losing 3 baht gold chains to some lady-boy on Pattaya beach, or making a life long commitment's to some girl who's family has a sick buffalo. but to write them off because they are noisy, or do not queue up in the same orderly fashion as us, would be shear stupidity. The latest figures from Australia (2012) was that just 626,400 came that year, but stayed & spent 4.2 billion Australian $$. They expect them to be spending 9 billion Austrian $$ by the year 2020--www.tourism.australia.com/documents/.../MP-2013_China-Web.pdf That's a lot further to travel than Thailand, but their most welcome when they arrive. I think the Thai businessmen are welcoming them---just not the Mama san type business people that you may talk with.......................