EEC board approves 4 new investment zones worth 25.66 billion baht on Oct 26
The 25.66 billion baht investment across four new zones aims to attract AI and Big Tech while boosting regional development in Chonburi and Rayong.
- The Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) Policy Committee approved four new special economic promotion zones with a total investment value of 25.66 billion baht.
- The new zones are intended to attract global technology companies and investments in artificial intelligence, bringing the total number of promotion zones in the region to 51.
- The largest project is the E-Tech Smart Park in Chonburi, valued at 19.75 billion baht, which will target sectors including modern automotive, smart electronics, aviation, and digital industries.
- The other three zones are New Horizon City (4 billion baht), the Phanat Nikhom zone (1.67 billion baht), and the Modern Automotive Zone (245 million baht) focused on the electric vehicle supply chain.
The Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) Policy Committee approved in principle on Monday (October 26) the designation of four new special economic promotion zones worth 25.66 billion baht, aiming to attract global technology enterprises and artificial intelligence investments.
Chaired by Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul at Government House, the board meeting expanded the total number of declared promotion zones across the eastern region to 51.
Major investment zones and allocations
The largest project in the newly approved batch is the E-Tech Smart Park in Baan Bueng district, Chonburi province, covering over 610 rai with an estimated investment of 19.75 billion baht. It targets modern automotive, smart electronics, aviation, logistics, digital, and comprehensive medical sectors, with an expected creation of 3,500 to 5,500 jobs upon full development.
The New Horizon City project in Si Racha district, Chonburi, represents an investment of 4 billion baht to support target industries and the green economy, expecting to generate over 1,200 jobs. The Phanat Nikhom zone in Chonburi involves an initial investment of 1.67 billion baht across eight targeted industries, including robotics, digital, logistics, and bio-agriculture, creating an estimated 7,750 local jobs. Meanwhile, the Modern Automotive Zone in Pluak Daeng, Rayong province, covers 70 rai with 245 million baht in funding to strengthen supply chains and upskill workers for the electric vehicle transition.
Targets and digital permit integration
The committee approved the operational plan for October 1, 2026, to March 31, 2027, setting a target of 75 billion baht in project values receiving EEC privileges. This forms part of the broader 2023–2027 master plan aimed at securing 500 billion baht in actual cumulative investments and boosting gross regional product growth across three eastern provinces by 6.3%.
To expedite investment processes, the EEC Office will implement an artificial intelligence-powered construction permit verification system under its One Stop Service, reducing complex design checks to approximately five hours.
Environmental safeguards and inter-agency cooperation
Prime Minister Anutin urged the EEC and the Board of Investment (BOI) to integrate their operations to attract big tech, artificial intelligence, and precision industries without bureaucratic friction. He stressed that expanding investment areas must adhere strictly to national environmental laws and community safeguards, noting that developers must recycle at least 25% of used water and conduct public hearings.
