亚开行-印尼-马来西亚-泰国增长三角经济走廊的审查和评估：泰国国家报告（英）-2023.3-124页_13mb

Summary of Thailand’s Economic Corridor Review

Overview

• Economic Corridors Reviewed: Four corridors—EC1 (Extended Songkhla–Penang–Medan), EC2 (Strait of Malacca), EC5 (Ranong–Phuket–Aceh), and EC6 (Southeastern Thailand–Eastern Malaysia–Southern Sumatera)—were assessed for infrastructure, connectivity, and cross-border integration.
• Thailand’s Strategy: Aligns with the Southern Economic Corridor (SEC) development, involving value chains (agriculture, rubber, palm oil, tourism, halal food) and cross-border cooperation.
• Key Findings: Transport infrastructure (roads, ports) is generally good but lacks cross-border rail, air, and maritime connectivity. Trade and tourism potential exists but is limited by gaps in connectivity and coordination.

1. Economic Corridor 1 (EC1)

• Overview: Covers 14 Thai provinces, connecting southern Thailand to Sumatera ports. Focuses on agriculture, rubber processing, and tourism.
• Status: Roads and ports are well-developed, but cross-border trade at Sadao and Padang Besar is congested.
• Recommendations:
  • Expand Songkhla Port II to reduce shipping time to Penang Port (Malaysia).
  • Upgrade cross-border facilities (e.g., Sadao Customs House) and rail linkages (Su-ngai Kolok–Malaysia).
  • Promote rubber and halal food integration with Malaysia.

2. Economic Corridor 2 (EC2)

• Overview: Situated in Trang and Satun (Andaman Sea coast), targets tourism, fisheries, and agriculture.
• Status: Roads are good, but rail connectivity is limited and ports lack synergy.
• Recommendations:
  • Enhance maritime corridors to Aceh and Belawan (Indonesia), supporting rubber and tourism logistics.
  • Develop Su-ngai Kolok as a multimodal logistics hub for agriculture.

3. Economic Corridor 5 (EC5)

• Overview: Bridges the Andaman Sea for tourism (e.g., Phuket) and maritime trade with BIMSTEC nations.
• Status: Ports (Ranong, Phuket) are underutilized, and air connectivity is weak.
• Recommendations:
  • Upgrade Ranong Port for cargo transit and establish cruise tourism hubs.
  • Strengthen links to India/BIMSTEC via port-to-port agreements.

4. Economic Corridor 6 (EC6)

• Overview: A new corridor connecting Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat (southwest Thailand) to Kelantan (Malaysia), focusing on security-focused agriculture and rubber.
• Status: Cross-border infrastructure (roads, rails) is basic, and rail connections with Malaysia are dormant.
• Recommendations:
  • Build bridges at Kolok River crossings (Su-ngai Kolok, Tak Bai).
  • Develop Narathiwat SEZ to boost halal food and rubber processing industries.
  • Revive rail connectivity for rubber exports to China via Kuantan Port.

Cross-Corridor Improvements

• Interlink Corridors: Projects like Chumphon-Ranong and Surat Thani-Phuket roads enhance regional trade.
• Institutional Mechanisms: Strengthen coordination via IMT-GT platforms, national secretariats, and private sector councils (JBC).

Key Recommendations

1. Physical Connectivity:
   • Prioritize cross-border rail and road projects (e.g., EC6 bridges, rail link to Kelantan).
   • Expand port capacity (EC1, EC5) and upgrade air links (EC6).
2. Value Chains:
   • Integrate rubber, palm oil, and halal food supply chains across IMT-GT.
3. Institutional Coordination:
   • Formalize the JBC to engage private sector; establish subregional forums for corridor strategies.
4. SEZ Development:
   • Leverage Narathiwat SEZ for halal and agricultural exports.

Conclusion

Thailand’s economic corridors, especially EC1 and the reconfigured EC6, show immense potential for regional integration. Addressing gaps in physical infrastructure and cross-border coordination can unlock economic benefits, enhance connectivity, and integrate subregional value chains.