State, Market, and Globalization: Strategic Development of Phitsanulok Province along the Luang Prabang-Indochina-Mawlamyine Economic Corridor (LIMEC)
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Abstract
This research examines the strategic advancement of Phitsanulok Province within the Luang Prabang-Indochina-Mawlamyine Economic Corridor (LIMEC), emphasizing the state’s changing role in the context of globalization. The study examines the policy frameworks, institutional mechanisms, and socio-political factors that affect the province’s capacity to establish itself as a regional hub. The study utilized a qualitative case study approach, gathering data through documentary analysis and conducting in-depth interviews with eight key informants from the provincial government, commerce, and civil society sectors. The researchers developed analytical framework based on the “Market State” theory and globalization, incorporating elements of state power and capitalist transformation.
The findings indicate that Phitsanulok has notable geography, infrastructure, and cultural heritage strengths. However, it encounters structural challenges, including the absence of a designated coordinating agency, inconsistent support from the central government, and limited public awareness regarding LIMEC’s strategic role. Fragmentation in policy and institutions hinders regional integration, even with a consensus on developmental objectives. The research highlights the necessity for strategic reforms, such as promoting LIMEC to national policy status, creating a permanent provincial coordination center, and instituting formal PPP mechanisms.
The study’s focus on a single case may limit its applicability to broader contexts. It offers important insights for policy-making at the subnational level. Future efforts should enhance inter-agency coordination, foster cross-border collaboration, and promote inclusive stakeholder engagement to guarantee the province’s sustainable integration into the regional economic framework.
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