Prime Minister, General
Chavalit Yongchaiyuth (right) hears reports on the progress of the
development of the Eastern Seaboard
On December 10, 1997, Prime Minister, General Chavalit
Yongchaiyuth, Deputy Prime Minister Sanoh Thienthong and other government
officials visited the Centre for Business Investment of the Eastern
Seaboard. The purpose of their visit was to hear reports on the progress of
the development of the Eastern Seaboard Shoreline, and other projects
including; the Laem Chabang Port project, the Laem Chabang industrial
project, the use of U-Tapao airport, the international aircraft building and
repairing centre project, the industrial pier at Mapthaput, the second
international aircraft repair dock, and many others. The reports were for
the purpose of allocating a budget for the development of the Eastern
Seaboard, and to find out if there were any problems with the plans.
The Prime Minister gave a news conference, reporting to the media on the
results of his visit. He said his main concern was to make investment as
smooth and convenient as possible for investors. Some of the problems he
outlined were; water supplies, electricity, and the impact on the
environment and various ecological systems. He said that there must be
improvement and increased efficiency in all these areas. He also said that
the pier expansion must be expedited in order to accommodate heavy industry,
including metal refining and the electronics and petroleum industry.
As for air transport from U-Tapao Airport, the Prime Minister said the
assigned committee had been studying the problem for 7 or 8 months to
expedite the project. As there is much interest from foreign investors, the
Prime Minister said the government was pushing this project ahead with
ultimate celerity. He said the Don Muang Airport must also be expanded and
its facilities and efficiency developed. Any unnecessary working divisions
will be moved out to make room for a more efficient airport. But he added
that this should be done without causing problems for the military.
