Factors in the formulation of Thailand's policy to promote the Thailand – Malaysia Special Border Economic Zone: A case study on the Songkhla Special Economic Development Zone

Abstract

          This study explains important factors in the formulation of the Special Economic Development Zone policy in Thailand to promote the Thailand – Malaysia Special Border Economic Zone. It focuses on the border area in the Songkhla Special Economic Development Zone. The study uses the complex interdependence concept of Robert O. Keohane and Joseph S. Nye as a framework. The research method is qualitative research by using primary sources and secondary sources to study factors attributing to the formulation of the Songkhla Special Economic Development Zone policy and economic connectivity between the Thailand - Malaysia border.
          The study found that these are three external factors attributing to the formulation of the Special Economic Development Zone policy in Thailand. The first factor was the ASEAN regional cooperation framework. The Thai government prepared to enter the ASEAN community in 2015 and connect the economy with neighboring countries. The second factor was the Indonesia – Malaysia –Thailand Growth Triangle (IMT – GT) framework. It resulted in the formulation of border development plans and the promotion of economic connectivity between Thailand and Malaysia. The third factor was the Northern Corridor Economic Region (NCER) development plan of Malaysia. The framework helped to promote border development in Thailand and Malaysia. Therefore, Thailand formulated the Special Economic Development Zone policy in Thailand. It resulted in the determination of the Songkhla Special Economic Zone policy to connect the economy in the southern region of Thailand with Malaysia.