Thai and Foreign Investors Eye EECiti Smart City Project

Thailand's Eastern Economic Corridor is advancing plans for EECiti, a new economic center for the eastern region. Following investor roadshows and discussions with investors, significant interest has emerged from both Thai and foreign private companies. Officials are preparing to open pathways for investment partnerships, bringing in capital and technology to enhance the city's capabilities. Healthcare, wellness, longevity, sports performance, and data centers are being positioned as future industries.

Korttong Thongtham Na Ayutthaya, acting director of the EECiti Project Management Office under the Eastern Economic Corridor Policy Committee, addressed this at a seminar on transforming the eastern region into a real estate and future city hub organized by the Government Housing Bank's Real Estate Information Center. The EECiti project aims to create a new economic city for the east, linking work, residential areas, healthcare, education, and modern services together.

EEC development broadly targets five industry groups: medical, digital, modern vehicles, BCG (bioeconomy), circular economy, and green economy, plus service industries covering tourism, aviation, logistics, and workforce development. The region currently has over 30 special economic zones.

EECiti represents an advancement beyond the original EEC concept. Whereas EEC previously focused on promoting investment areas and industries, EECiti will create a city combining economic activities and quality of life within a single area.

Following EEC's market outreach and investor discussions on the EECiti concept, substantial interest from both Thai and foreign private companies and large business operators has emerged, with conversations about development approaches and investment opportunities. "Many people want to invest, but we cannot yet disclose their names because discussions are ongoing and do not yet constitute binding investment commitments," officials stated.

Development models envision bringing together investment partnerships or groups that blend Thai entrepreneurs' capabilities with foreign capital, technology, and expertise—particularly for large projects requiring diverse expertise. Detailed criteria for developer selection are being finalized, considering technical qualifications, registered capital, project value, and experience with similar projects. Multiple qualified candidates will proceed through further selection processes.

EECiti covers approximately 15,000 acres, with a core area of around 6,000 acres in Huay Yai Subdistrict, Bang Lamung District, Chon Buri Province. Development divides into three main zones: a central business district (CBD), medical area, and residential area. This core zone forms the heart of the new city, integrating economic, residential, and service elements while connecting with surrounding areas. Development encompasses not just real estate construction but also designing city systems—energy, water, waste management, transportation, and efficient resource use—to support population growth.