The Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand (IEAT) is speeding up a feasibility study to build a new "correctional industrial estate" in a move to upskill inmates and convert them into a new workforce for the country.
The new estates are aimed at generating jobs for inmates, reducing dependence on migrant workers and, at the same time, solving overcrowding in prisons, according to the IEAT.
The study will include an incentive package to encourage investors to jointly develop a correctional industrial estate, it said.
"Measures must be designed to ensure necessary infrastructure for the investment as well as waive fees and expenses that may occur," said Veeris Ammarapala, governor of the IEAT.
This new industrial estate is a joint project between the industry and justice ministries, which agree to jointly push ahead with a plan to create jobs for inmates.
The cabinet also gave a nod to study findings by the Justice Ministry on Oct 19.
The IEAT plans to hold discussions with state agencies and businesses, including industrial estate developers, to come up with the right investment model for correctional industrial estate development.
"We expect the government and companies to form a joint venture for the development," said Mr Veeris.
The IEAT is allowed by the Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand Act to form a joint venture with firms in and outside the country.
Mr Veeris said the IEAT can also share its know-how on industrial management with factories interested in joining the industrial estate project.
Earlier this year, the Industry Ministry ordered the IEAT to conduct a study on a plan to have two correctional industrial estates in Thailand.
The first venue, located at Ban Bueng temporary prison in Chon Buri, is hiring 300-400 inmates to work in factories.
The second one in Samut Sakhon is undergoing a joint feasibility study by the IEAT and the Corrections Department.
Industry Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit said earlier Samut Sakhon is suitable for the project because the province has many factories.
