Special Economic Zones in Thailand
Royal Thai Government is currently working to establish Special Economic Zones (SEZs) along the borders with Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Malaysia as a part of national strategy to stimulate economic growth, attract foreign investment, foster development of border areas and support ASEAN integration. The development of SEZs will strengthen Thailand’s supply chains in the context of the ASEAN Single Market and Production Base, linking local businesses with regional production resources and markets.
In July 2014, Thailand’s Policy Committee on the Special Economic Zone assigned twelve potential SEZ locations. Six have been designated for early implementation by the end of 2015. They include major customs checkpoint areas with Myanmar (Mae Sot district in Tak), Lao PDR (Muang district, in Mukdahan and Nong Khai), Cambodia (Aranyaprathet district in Sa Kaew and Khlong Yai district in Trat), and Malaysia (Sadao district in Songkhla).
Businesses located in SEZs are granted for privileges including exemption of corporate income tax up to eight years, deduction by half of utility bills and transport costs for ten years, exemption on import duty for raw materials and essentials used in the production of products for export for five years and permission to employ unskilled foreign workers. Additional information on investment privileges can be also found on http://osos.boi.go.th. For further information, please contact