The Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand (IEAT) is planning to build a power plant and a hospital in its industrial estates in Songkhla to bolster investments and relieve concerns over electricity shortages in the South.
Mr Veeris, left, looks at the layout of Songkhla Industrial Estate in Sadao district, where a power plant construction project is planned.
It is conducting a study on joint investments to build a power plant on Songkhla Industrial Estate in Sadao district and a hospital in Southern Industrial Estate in Hat Yai district.
The IEAT expects both projects to serve industrial operations and the need for health services, in line with the government's policy of improving the economy in the South, said Veeris Ammarapala, governor of the IEAT.
Officials are looking for investors to form a venture to develop an electricity generation facility as the southern region needs greater power supply.
Power demand in the South has grown 5-6% annually because of economic development, especially in the service and tourism sectors. Yet electricity supply is insufficient to meet the demand, according to the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand.
In 2018, the cabinet resolved to have Songkhla Industrial Estate made part of the special economic zone (SEZ) in Sadao district, which borders Malaysia.
According to the IEAT, this industrial estate has more than 927 rai of land for development, with an investment budget of 2.89 billion baht.
The government wants to boost border trade, generate investment and jobs as well as increase exports to neighbouring countries under its SEZ policy.
Targeted industries in the Sadao SEZ include rubber, cars, food, electronic products and logistics services.
Building a hospital in the industrial estate is also important because it will assist investors and local villagers who need health services, said Mr Veeris.
"The IEAT discussed the facilities with the provincial governor and villagers in Hat Yai," he said.
"They had a positive response to the hospital project."