Future Advanced Industry Model City Project Chana Songkhla

MGR Online•Economy•21d ago

Reader Briefing

The Cabinet acknowledged and approved the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) for the development of Songkhla and Pattani provinces on June 16, 2026.

•The Cabinet approved the SEA results for the spatial development master plan of Songkhla and Pattani provinces on June 16, 2026.
•The project aims to establish the 4th Model City, the Future Advanced Industry Model City, in Chana District, Songkhla Province.
•TPI Polene Power Public Company Limited is the private investor collaborating with SBPAC to drive the project.
•Legal obstacles regarding town planning regulations currently hinder the project's implementation.

Overview

•On May 7, 2019, the Cabinet approved TPI Polene Power Public Company Limited to invest in the project alongside SBPAC.
•On December 14, 2021, the Cabinet ordered all project activities to be suspended pending the results of a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA).
•On June 16, 2026, Anutin Charnvirakul presided over a Cabinet meeting that approved the SEA results for Songkhla and Pattani provinces.
•The Future Advanced Industry Model City project in Chana District consists of six main activities: a deep-sea port, advanced industry park, agro-industry, power plants, distribution center, and a Smart City.
•Project implementation is delayed because the current 2016 Songkhla Provincial Comprehensive Plan designates the area as green zones (rural and agricultural), prohibiting industrial projects.
•The government requires SBPAC and the Department of Public Works and Town & Country Planning to urgently amend the specific town plan using Section 35 of the Town Planning Act.
•Successful implementation of the project is intended to create jobs and transform the economy of the lower southern region into a regional economic hub.

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Key Entities

Person

Anutin Charnvirakul(อนุทิน ชาญวีรกูล)ℹ️

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior who presided over the Cabinet meeting on June 16, 2026.

Organization

Cabinet(คณะรัฐมนตรี)

The government body that approves the project, SEA results, and town planning amendments.

Committee on Strategic Development of Southern Border Provinces(คณะกรรมการยุทธศาสตร์ด้านการพัฒนาจังหวัดชายแดนภาคใต้ (กพต.))

The body that proposed the Future Advanced Industry Model City project to the Cabinet.

TPI Polene Power Public Company Limited(บริษัท ทีพีไอ โพลีน เพาเวอร์ จำกัด (มหาชน))

The private company approved by the Cabinet to invest and collaborate with SBPAC on the project.

Southern Border Provinces Administrative Center (SBPAC)(ศูนย์อำนวยการบริหารจังหวัดชายแดนภาคใต้ (ศอ.บต.))

The coordinator and supervisor of the project responsible for supporting the private sector.

Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council(สำนักงานสภาพัฒนาการเศรษฐกิจและสังคมแห่งชาติ (สศช.))ℹ️

The agency assigned by the Cabinet to prepare the SEA and master plans.

Department of Public Works and Town & Country Planning(กรมโยธาธิการและผังเมือง)ℹ️

The agency responsible for amending the specific town plan under Section 35 of the Town Planning Act.

Board of Investment(คณะกรรมการส่งเสริมการลงทุน)

The body responsible for providing investment promotion for the project.

Marine Department(กรมเจ้าท่า)

The agency responsible for approving piers and maritime encroachments.

National Environment Board(คณะกรรมการสิ่งแวดล้อมแห่งชาติ)

The body responsible for approving environmental impact assessments.

National Energy Policy Council(คณะกรรมการนโยบายพลังงานแห่งชาติ (กพช.))

One of the bodies responsible for issuing power plant establishment permits.

Energy Regulatory Commission(คณะกรรมการกํากับกิจการพลังงาน (กกพ.))

One of the bodies responsible for issuing power plant establishment permits.

Place

Songkhla Province(จังหวัดสงขลา)ℹ️

One of the provinces for which a spatial development master plan and SEA were conducted.

Pattani Province(จังหวัดปัตตานี)ℹ️

One of the provinces for which a spatial development master plan and SEA were conducted.

Chana District(อำเภอจะนะ)ℹ️

The location of the 4th Model City, the Future Advanced Industry Model City.

Law

Town Planning Act(พระราชบัญญัติการผังเมือง)

The law under which Section 35 is used to amend specific town plans.

Southern Border Provinces Administration Act 2010(พระราชบัญญัติการบริหารราชการจังหวัดชายแดนภาคใต้ พ.ศ. 2553)

The law whose Section 10 is used to facilitate the town plan amendment.

Policy

Future Advanced Industry Model City(เมืองต้นแบบอุตสาหกรรมก้าวหน้าแห่งอนาคต)

The project aimed at transforming the economy of the lower southern region through industrial development.