Developing southern Thailand as tourism, rubber, and oil palm hub
The Government has decided to develop southern Thailand into a tourism, rubber, and oil palm hub, as well as an economic center, linking trade and investment with other parts of the world.
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The decision was made at a cabinet retreat in Chumphon province on August 21, 2018. Before the cabinet meeting, Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha chaired a meeting on economic and social development in southern provincial clusters of the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Coast.
The southern provincial cluster of the Gulf of Thailand consists of Chumphon, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung, Surat Thani, and Songkhla. As for the southern provincial cluster of the Andaman Coast, it comprises Krabi, Trang, Phang-nga, Phuket, Ranong, and Satun.
The Cabinet approved proposals submitted by the two clusters. For instance, the local logistics system will be developed to support industry, commerce, border trade, and investment. Road, rail, waterway, and air transport networks will be connected for greater efficiency.
Concerning tourism development, health tourism will be given a major boost. Emphasis will also be placed on safety and cleanliness at various tourist sites, with effective waste management and high quality of tourism services.
Regarding agricultural production, an Oil Palm City will be established in Surat Thani. Research and development will be promoted for rubber, oil palm, herbal plants, livestock, and fisheries, in order to prepare for "Agro-Bio-Economy.” Safe food production will be emphasized to promote Thailand as a world-class tourism hub.
Moreover, model agricultural factories, under the "Thailand 4.0” policy, will be established in order to upgrade special economic zones and agro-industrial clusters.
Biogas and biomass systems from oil palm and rubber production processes will be introduced as alternative energy for industry.
The Prime Minister instructed the acceleration of developing agricultural digital innovation and the promotion of large-scale farming and agricultural zoning. Information from relevant agencies will be gathered for decision-making to develop agricultural production in respective areas.
The Government will also promote the development of southern Thailand as an international health center. In this regard, more hospitals will also be set up and developed further for quality health care services.