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Dr. Sonthi questions Prachinburi inclusion in EEC

Dr. Sonthi questions Prachinburi inclusion in EEC

MGR Online•Society•1h ago

Reader Briefing

Environmental academic Dr. Sonthi Khachawat raises concerns over the proposal to expand the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) into Prachinburi province.

  • •Dr. Sonthi Khachawat questions if the government has consulted local residents before expanding the EEC to Prachinburi.
  • •The Office of the Eastern Economic Corridor Policy Committee (EECO) targets Kabin Buri and Si Maha Phot districts as pilot areas.
  • •The Cabinet acknowledged the principle of this expansion in October 2026.
  • •Concerns include industrial waste, water competition between industry and agriculture, and loss of farmland.

Overview

  • •The Office of the Eastern Economic Corridor Policy Committee (EECO) aims to make Prachinburi the fourth province in the EEC, specifically focusing on Kabin Buri and Si Maha Phot districts.
  • •The Office of the Eastern Economic Corridor Policy Committee (EECO) views these areas as having potential in location, connections to the original EEC, and bases in EV and electronic parts industries.
  • •The Cabinet acknowledged the principle regarding the expansion guidelines in October 2026.
  • •The Office of the Eastern Economic Corridor Policy Committee (EECO) will prepare policy recommendations within 1–2 years before proposing a Royal Decree to the Cabinet.
  • •Dr. Sonthi Khachawat warns that Prachinburi may become a site for industrial waste and hazardous waste, potentially contaminating water and food chains during floods.
  • •Dr. Sonthi Khachawat notes that industrial expansion may cause water competition with the agricultural sector and threaten organic farming in 9 out of 14 sub-districts in Kabin Buri.
  • •Dr. Sonthi Khachawat expresses concern over land use changes, including potential expropriation and land buying, which could cause small farmers to lose their livelihoods.
  • •Dr. Sonthi Khachawat urges the government to hold genuine public hearings and disclose environmental and water management data before proceeding.

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Key Quotes

Dr. Sonthi Khachawat
"Pushing Prachinburi into the EEC, have the local people been asked yet, and what are the wounds from the original three provinces like?"
ผลักดันปราจีนบุรีเข้า EEC ถามคนในพื้นที่หรือยัง และบาดแผลจาก 3 จังหวัดเดิมเป็นอย่างไร

Key Entities

Person

Dr. Sonthi Khachawat(ดร.สนธิ คชวัฒน์)
An environmental academic who questions the expansion of the EEC into Prachinburi.

Place

Prachinburi(ปราจีนบุรี)ℹ️
The province proposed as the fourth area for the Eastern Economic Corridor.
Kabin Buri District(อำเภอกบินทร์บุรี)ℹ️
A proposed pilot area for the EEC expansion in Prachinburi with significant organic farming areas.
Si Maha Phot District(อำเภอศรีมหาโพธิ)ℹ️
A proposed pilot area for the EEC expansion in Prachinburi.
Chonburi(ชลบุรี)ℹ️
One of the original three provinces in the EEC used as a lesson for environmental impacts.
Rayong(ระยอง)ℹ️
One of the original three provinces in the EEC used as a lesson for environmental impacts.
Chachoengsao(ฉะเชิงเทรา)ℹ️
One of the original three provinces in the EEC used as a lesson for environmental impacts.

Policy

Eastern Economic Corridor(เขตพัฒนาพิเศษภาคตะวันออก)ℹ️
A special development zone currently covering three provinces and proposed to expand to Prachinburi.

Organization

Office of the Eastern Economic Corridor Policy Committee(สำนักงานคณะกรรมการนโยบายเขตพัฒนาพิเศษภาคตะวันออก)
The agency pushing for the pilot areas in Prachinburi and responsible for policy recommendations.
Cabinet(คณะรัฐมนตรี)
The government body that acknowledged the expansion principle in October 2026.