The Special Economic Zone (SEZ) Committee has endorsed the selection of JCK International as a developer for the planned SEZ in Nakhon Phanom, said Thosaporn Sirisamphand, secretary-general to the National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB).
Mr Thosaporn described it as a commercial mixed-use project with a hotel, health care centre, trade exhibition centre, sports complex and other facilities.
It will span 1,335 rai near the 3rd Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge and Nakhon Phanom checkpoint.
The SEZ Committee, chaired by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, has also agreed that 28 rai inside the SEZ be set aside to develop a rail project linking it with Khon Kaen's Ban Phai district.
The Treasury Department has been instructed to proceed with the leasing of state land to develop the new economic zone, Mr Thosaporn said.
He said the SEZ Committee has also instructed agencies to consider ways of attracting private sector investment, especially from SMEs.
The development of SEZs has been planned in 10 provinces for the purposes of agriculture, industry, logistics and tourism, which are meant to stimulate local economies in border provinces.
Tak, Sa Kaeo, Trat, Mukdahan, Songkhla and Nong Khai have all been designated for the first phase, with Chiang Rai, Kanchanaburi, Narathiwat and Nakhon Phanom named for phase two.
Five land-lease contracts have been signed in four provinces, namely, Sa Kaeo, Trat, Songkhla and Kanchanaburi.
Mr Thosaporn said construction work on basic infrastructure and at customs checkpoints for the SEZs was proceeding as planned.
Among the completed projects are a second bridge across the Moei River, a car park and a new terminal at Mae Sot airport in Tak, and a four-lane road near Aranyaprathet checkpoint in Sa Kaeo province.
