Thai cabinet notes establishment of eight EEC promotion zones
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The zones cover industry, healthcare, energy and logistics and are expected to attract foreign investment, support local jobs and improve infrastructure.
- The Thai cabinet has acknowledged the establishment of eight special economic promotion zones within the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC).
- The designated zones include industrial estates, a specialized medical center, a food processing cluster, an LNG terminal, and a smart logistics hub.
- These zones are intended to attract foreign investment by offering incentives and assistance with permits under the EEC Act 2018.
- The initiative aims to support economic expansion, promote local employment, encourage infrastructure development, and improve the quality of life in the region.
The Cabinet has acknowledged the establishment of eight special economic promotion zones proposed by the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) Policy Committee, deputy government spokesperson Ploythalay Laksameesaengjan said on Tuesday (October 6, 2026).
The zones are:
- Amata City Chonburi 2 Industrial Estate
- 304 Industrial Park 2
- Food Processing Industry (Bang Pakong): Sustainable Thai Coffee Cluster
- Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate
- Lakchai Muang Yang Industrial Estate, Rayong
- LifeSphere Specialized Medical and Health Center (Pattaya), for specialised medical care and comprehensive health services
- Map Ta Phut liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal 2
- Smart Logistics (Chachoengsao)
Ploythalay said designating the zones would bring the following benefits.
- Attract foreign investment into the zones by allowing investors to apply for incentives and assistance with investment procedures, approvals and permits under the Eastern Economic Corridor Act 2018.
- Support economic expansion and spread income to surrounding areas while promoting employment in local communities.
- Encourage the development of infrastructure and utilities both within and outside project sites, including roads, water systems, electricity systems and reservoirs, as industrial zones and urban communities expand.
- Increase the EEC’s capacity to accommodate investment through infrastructure and utility development, while also supporting the development of communities and towns and improving people’s quality of life.
- Strengthen agricultural and food security for Thailand and local communities by managing agricultural resources and increasing agricultural production through an integrated approach, with a focus on domestic food security and value-added agriculture.
- Reduce the environmental impact of electricity generation through the use of LNG, which she described as a clean energy source, compared with fuels such as coal and fuel oil.
- Improve resource efficiency through smart management that reduces waste in smart logistics processes, including inefficient transport, excess inventory and damage to goods, helping conserve the country’s resources overall.
