The Impact Evaluation of Trade and Investment Policy in Border Area: The Case Studies of Chiang Saen District Border Area, Mae Sai District Border Area, and Chiang Khong District Border Area, Chiang Rai

Abstract

The purpose of this research were to study 1) the context of the environment affecting investment, finance, tourism and services related to border trade in Chiang Saen District Border Area, Mae Sai District Border Area and the Chiang Khong District Border Area, Chiang Rai during 2014-2018 2) Input, policy process and productivity of the policy affect the expansion of investment opportunities and cooperation both within the area and outside the country and 3) recommendations for promoting border trade between Thailand and neighboring countries. The research method used a qualitative research methodology, collected information from the documents and in-depth interviews from government agencies and from private sector agencies. The results of the study found that 1) The environmental context all 3 District Border Area are in line with the 7-year investment promotion strategy (2015- 2024), there are border areas that are economically linked to neighboring countries and support the integration of the ASEAN Economic Community 2) Input, policy processes and the productivity of policies were found to have developed border trade posts and transport networks at the country’s main trade gateways to support cross-border production and investment links in line with the policy of developing border trade centers in Chiang Khong District Border Area, linked to countries in the GMS and 3) Suggestions for promoting border trade between Thailand and neighboring countries in the Chiang Saen District Border Area were positioned as a Port City. Government that there should be guidelines for cooperation on border trade around Chiang Saen port and maritime tourism to southern China. As for the Mae Sai District Border Area, it was found that trade and investment opportunities with Myanmar connect to the eastern side of Shan State to Yunnan Province of China. As for the Chiang Khong District Border Area, it was found that it was placed as a Logistic City, an area for expanding trade, investment, and trade development opportunities to travel and multimodal transport centers Connecting trade to western China and tourism routes to Luang Prabang, Laos.