The Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS) and ASEAN Economic Integration: The ASEAN Charter moves ASEAN towards becoming a region where goods, services and skilled workers in some categories, as well as investments initiatives, can freely move across internal borders. For the nations of ASEAN, this is a pressing issue because the member countries are aiming towards regional economic integration, embodied by the AEC. The goals are to bring about (a) a single market and production base, (b) a highly competitive economic region, (c) a region of equitable economic development and (d) a region fully integrated into the global economy. Small businesses are likely to be among the beneficiaries of these changes. Developments have also been taking place at the sub-regional level in preparation for the AEC. For example, the intensification of the GMS Corridor project required improvement to the transportation infrastructure and the retail environment. When benefits of these plans became evident, there was an increase in commercial activity (Guina, 2008). The resulting increase in riverine and border trade also further intensified the increase in activity (Arunmas, 2003). Large firms from China have also been making investments in Thailand as a result, e.g. a new hotel scheme announced in 2007 which would offer accommodation for Chinese travelers and merchants, among others (no doubt including those visiting nearby semi-legal cross-border casinos) (Bangkok Post, 2003). Thai investors also sought to establish new ventures there alongside Chinese investment projects (Bunyamanee, 2003).