Developing the Institutional Mechanisms and International Cooperation Mechanisms for Thailand’s Special Economic Zones

Abstract

The objectives of this action research were to 1) study the guidelines for developing the institutional mechanisms for area management in Thailand’s border special economic zones (SEZs), 2) study the guidelines and health measures related to border trade and investment to prevent the spread of COVID-19, and 3) study the guidelines for developing the international cooperation mechanisms on regulations and infrastructures to develop border SEZs. The key informants were stakeholders in border SEZs from the public, private, and civil society sectors. Data were collected using documentary research, in-depth interviewing, and focus group discussions, which were analyzed using CATWOE analysis according to Soft System Methodology (SSM) research approach.

The research findings were (1) institutional mechanisms in border SEZs, at both national and local levels, are merely policy coordination mechanisms and the l a ck of institutionalization which advocates the SEZ policy in the form of a permanent organization; (2) after the situation of COVID-19 pandemic in 2019, all sectors realized that health guidelines and measures are relevant for trade and investment in SEZs; and (3) successful border SEZs depend on domestic and international consultation mechanisms.