Situation

Southern Thailand, particularly the Andaman-facing provinces and parts of the southern corridor, has long experienced uneven economic development compared to the Eastern Seaboard. The region’s economy is largely dependent on:

• Tourism

• Agriculture (e.g., rubber, palm oil, fisheries)

• Small-scale trade

While these sectors generate income, they are often volatile, seasonal, and limited in value creation.

At the same time, structural challenges persist:

• Limited industrial base

• Lower infrastructure investment compared to other regions

• Income disparity and economic vulnerability

• In some areas, underlying social and security sensitivities

Despite its strategic geographic location, Southern Thailand has not been fully integrated into the country’s core economic architecture.

Shift

Economic development models are shifting from centralized, regionally concentrated growth toward more distributed, corridor-based development.

Large-scale infrastructure projects—particularly ports, logistics corridors, and industrial zones—are increasingly used as catalysts for regional transformation, enabling:

• Job creation at scale

• Industrial diversification

• Long-term economic stability

There is also a growing recognition that economic inclusion and balanced regional development are critical for national resilience and social stability.

In this context, maritime and logistics infrastructure can serve not only economic purposes but also as tools for structural transformation of underdeveloped regions.

Advantage

The development of the Andaman Gateway, Land Bridge, and dual-coast logistics system provides a unique opportunity to reposition Southern Thailand as a strategic economic zone.

By anchoring major infrastructure in the region, Thailand can:

• Attract large-scale investment

• Develop new industrial clusters

• Create high-quality employment opportunities

The region’s proximity to both maritime routes and the cross-peninsula corridor enables it to become:

• A logistics hub

• An industrial processing zone

• A gateway for international trade

This transforms Southern Thailand from a peripheral region into a central component of national economic strategy.

Additional Structural Advantage

Maritime-led development in Southern Thailand can be designed as an integrated model combining:

• Port infrastructure

• Industrial zones

• Urban development

• Social infrastructure (education, healthcare, workforce development)

This allows for the creation of new economic cities or corridors that are planned holistically, rather than growing organically without structure.

Additionally, aligning economic development with local participation and inclusive policies can:

• Increase local acceptance of large-scale projects

• Reduce social tensions

• Enhance long-term stability

This creates a development model that is both economically and socially sustainable.

Implication

Without targeted development, Southern Thailand risks remaining economically peripheral, with continued income disparities and limited integration into national growth engines.

This may lead to:

• Persistent regional inequality

• Underutilization of strategic geography

• Missed opportunities for national economic expansion

However, if maritime-driven development is successfully implemented, it will:

• Transform the South into a new economic growth pole

• Reduce regional inequality

• Strengthen national unity and stability

• Support the broader Andaman Gateway strategy with a strong local foundation

This ensures that SI-007 is not only externally focused but also internally anchored.

Action Layer