When the government launched EEC project that would cover Chonburi, Rayong, and Chachoengsao provinces, it has positioned Chonburi and Rayong to be industrial zones, believing it would bring in large amount of money to the country and sharply increase the GDP. On the other hand, Chachoengsao has been positioned to be a top-grade residential zone to cater for industrial expansion and transportation.
After years of being discussed and drafted, the new city plan for Chachoengsao has finally been put into practice in 2013 thanks to a long-term cooperation and public participation process among local civic networks and state agencies. But with the launch of EEC project recently, it seems the dream of Pad Riew residents to determine their province’s zoning may not be materialized soon.
Railroad lying along the lowland area, both sides of the track are narrow but full of verdancy. From this view, people may think people in Yothaka would live happily. But actually, the locals are forced to move out of the land they have lived since their grandparents, and thus, fighting to stay for 4 years now.
Aiming to make eastern Thailand a special economic zone, both government and private sectors have put effort into development plans by focusing on attracting foreign investment especially in automobile and electronic industries. As such, every step of the Eastern Economic Corridor or EEC project is overseen by the EEC Committee, who carries out the tasks stipulated in the Eastern Economic Corridor Act B.E. 2561 of Thailand.
‘A Strong community’ can be a perfect word to describe the way people live in Ban Yang Daeng, Sanam Chai Khet district in Chachoengsao province. With the sufficient amount of agricultural product not only for internal consumption demand, but also for sale, people in this community can earn enough income to nurture their families. Under the concept of community participation, organic farming of Sanam Chai Khet has continued till now.
