Major industries/Services /Real estate :Industrial Estates

Overview
- The Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand (I EA T) has established 38 industrial estates scattered over 15 provinces. Twelve of these estates were developed by I EA T alone and 26 were jointly developed by I EA T with private developers.
- Japanese investors account for 41.4 percent of foreign investment in industrial estates, followed by other Asian investors at 27.3 percent and the European Union at 15.1 percent. The most popular area for investment is Zone 2, covering the popular provinces of Chon Buri, Rayong, and Chachoengsao along the Eastern Seaboard.
- There are three categories of industrial estate in Thailand: those developed by the I EA T, a state enterprise for the development and management of industrial estates; those developed by the private sector, for example, the Rojana Industrial Estate and 304 Industrial Park; and those that are joint-ventures between the I EA T and private developers, such as, for example, Amata City Industrial Estate, Hem Raj Industrial Estate, and the Eastern Seaboard Industrial Estate.
- There are two types of industrial estate: General Processing Zones are designated for industrial and service operations and related operations; I EA T Free Zones are designated for industrial and commercial operations and related activities and oriented in such a way as to enhance the economy, national security, the public good, environmental management, and other goals as specified by the I EA T board. Goods brought into a Free Zone enjoy tax and fee privileges as designated by law.
- The state promotes industrial estates, encouraging both Thai and foreign investors to invest in them. Investors in industrial estates are granted both tax and non-tax privileges from the I EA T and other privileges from the Board of Investment (BOI).
- The BOI has designated three geographical zones for industrial estates based on local economic factors such as incomes and facilities.
- Zone 1 includes six provinces in the Central Region: Bangkok, Nakhon Pathom, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Samut Prakan, and Samut Sakhon.
- Zone 2 includes 12 provinces: Kanchanaburi, Chachoengsao, Chon Buri, Nakhon Nayok, Ayutthaya, Phuket, Rayong, Ratchaburi, Samut Songkhram, Saraburi, Suphan Buri, and Ang Thong.
- Zone 3 encompasses the remaining 58 provinces, divided into two groups: a 36 province group and a 22 province group of lower-income provinces. The 36 province group includes Krabi, Kamphaeng Phet, Khon Kaen, Chanthaburi, Chai Nat, Chumphon, Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, Trang, Trat, Tak, Nakhon Ratchasima, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Nakhon Sawan, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Prachin Buri, Phang Nga, Phatthalung, Phichit, Phitsanulok, Phetchaburi, Phetchabun, Mukdahan, Mae Hong Son, Ranong, Lop Buri, Lampang, Lamphun, Loei, Songkhla, Sa Kaeo, Sing Buri, Sukhothai, Surat Thani, Uttaradit, and Uthai Thani. The 22 province group includes Kalasin, Nakhon Phanom, Narathiwat, Nan, Buri Ram, Pattani, Phayao, Phrae, Maha Sarakham, Yasothon, Yala, Roi Et, Si Sa Ket, Sakon Nakhon, Satun, Surin, Nong Bua Lamphu, Chaiyaphum, Nong Khai, Ubon Ratchathani, Udon Thani, and Amnat Charoen. All Zone 3 provinces are considered investment promotion areas.