In the early 1980s, the National Petrochemical Corporation was established, and Thailand launched the Eastern Seaboard Project in an effort to maximize the benefits of the economic boom realized with the discovery of natural gas. Today, this region of Thailand has evolved into becoming a premier industrial cluster that includes not only Map Ta Phut, one of the world’s foremost petrochemical facilities, but is also home to Thailand’s burgeoning automotive industry. As Map Ta Phut developed, there was extensive cooperation and collaboration with the Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand, petrochemical manufacturers and service providers, resulting in a model of industry performance and development.