The government on Tuesday approved the implementation of 101 development projects with a total investment budget of 52 billion baht for provinces in the lower North.
Deputy government spokesman Chalitrat Chandrubeksa said the cabinet agreed to approve 33 projects worth 617.7 million baht that will be implemented immediately. It also approved another 78 projects costing an estimated 51.3 billion baht for further development of the lower North.
The cabinet's decision was in line with proposals submitted by the joint public private committee, which had recommnended the establishment of a special economic zone in Mae Sot district of Tak province by 2015 and the upgrading of Phu Du checkpoint in Ban Khok district of Uttaradit province to a permanent frontier checkpoint by March 2013.
The private sector representatives also want the development of a transportation network and logistics system, particularly the expansion of Highway No12 (Phitsanulok to Lom Sak) from two to four lanes in preparation for the launch of the Asean Economic Community in December 2015. Private industry also wants the development of high-speed train services and dual track rail to be speeded up.
The private sector representatives urged the government to review the project to study and develop Phitsanulok as the transportation hub for the North with the establishment of a centre for passenger services and goods distribution. The province is also looked on as the junction for Indochina for the North-South and East-West economic corridors.
The joint committee also seeks the government's support to upgrade staff skills in the tourism sector.