DRIVING THE POLICY FOR DEVELOPING SPECIAL ECONOMIC ZONES (SEZS) IN THAILAND

Abstract

Special Economic Zones (SEZs) involve the designation of specific areas for the benefit of trade and investment in specified economic activities to distribute prosperity to various areas without clusters in particular areas. The goals for establishing the SEZs can be divided into 3 aspects, including 1) to attract work creation in the economic zones, 2) to create economic sustainability that leads to positive economic models by investing and developing infrastructure and reforming the economy etc., and 3) to create confidence in the economy as a tool for building sustainability by relying on collaborative mechanisms from organizations in all sectors. The process to drive the policy for developing SEZs in Thailand is classified into 4 sectors, namely 1) the government sector, private sector, and public sector in the areas, and 4) the organizational sector, which has responsibility for supervising the SEZs. The SEZ activity models consist of 1) a manufacturing model, 2) a trade and logistics model, and 3) a tourism development model. The results of the policy-driven development in the SEZs in Thailand were examined in 4 main aspects, including 1) the development of infrastructure, 2) the development of structures in society, public health, workers/entrepreneurs, and increased mechanical potential in the areas, 3) the development of investment, and 4) measures for investment promotion.