Thailand’s prime minister, General Prayut Chan-o-cha, detailed some of the port buildings and initiatives the Thai government is undertaking, in his weekly TV broadcast.
These are all to support Thailand’s special economic zones (SEZs) development project.
Of those developments already under way, a key focus is Songkhla in southern Thailand.
“The SEZ for Padang Besar and Sadao border points in Songkhla is seeing the construction of the Hat Yai-Malaysian border motorway, construction of the second deepsea port for Songkhla, and renovation of railways between Hat Yai terminal and Sungai Kolok and between Thung Song terminal, Hat Yai, and Padang Besar,” Gen Prayut said.
A second port development is in eastern Thailand, which is also getting a new maritime facility.
“Khlong Yai SEZ in Trat is seeing the construction of Trat-Hat Lek highway no. 3, and construction of a multipurpose dock,” the general said while listing other road and rail connections for development.
The Southeast Asian country already has six SEZs, with the plan being for another six next year, Gen Prayut said.
“When the economy is better, we will have more money to invest. Six more locations are scheduled to be developed next year. Today, we are drafting a blueprint as well as taking into consideration the benefits to be gained,” he said.
Source: http://www.ihsmaritime360.com/article/18279/thailand-expands-port-development
