Part of the Warehouse 101 Series for foreign buyers.
The Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) is Thailand’s most important economic development zone — and the one most relevant to foreign companies setting up warehouse, manufacturing or distribution operations. Here’s everything you need to know.
What Is the EEC?
The EEC (Eastern Economic Corridor) is a special economic zone established by Thailand’s EEC Act B.E. 2561 (2018). It covers three provinces: Chachoengsao, Chonburi and Rayong — stretching from Bangkok along the Eastern Seaboard to the Gulf of Thailand.
The EEC is the successor to Thailand’s highly successful Eastern Seaboard industrial zone, which attracted Toyota, Honda, Western Digital and hundreds of other multinationals since the 1980s. The EEC doubles down on this model with targeted sectors for the next industrial wave.
EEC Target Industries (S-Curve)
| First S-Curve (Existing) | New S-Curve (Targeted) |
|---|---|
| Automotive & auto parts | Electric vehicles (EV) & EV components |
| Electronics & appliances | Smart electronics & semiconductors |
| Petrochemicals & chemicals | Biochemicals & bio-based materials |
| Agro-processing & food | Food for the future (functional food) |
| Tourism & MICE | Medical hub & wellness tourism |
| — | Aerospace & aviation MRO |
| — | Robotics & automation |
| — | Digital / AI / Fintech |
EEC Infrastructure — Why Location Matters
- Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) — 37 km from our Bangpakong site; EEC expansion includes cargo zone
- U-Tapao Airport — being upgraded to international hub; EEC Aerospace zone nearby
- Laem Chabang Port — Thailand’s largest deepwater port; handling 80%+ of Thailand’s container trade
- Map Ta Phut Industrial Port — petrochemicals and bulk cargo
- High-speed rail link (under development) — Bangkok–U-Tapao connecting 3 airports
- Motorway network — Bangna-Trad Road (Route 34) is the primary logistics spine
EEC Benefits for Warehouse & Industrial Tenants
- Maximum BOI incentive tier — up to 8 years CIT exemption + all duty exemptions
- Smart Visa — 4-year multi-entry visa for investors, executives and skilled workers in EEC target sectors
- Land ownership — foreigners can own land for industrial use (50-year leasehold with renewal)
- One-Stop Service — EECO operates an integrated permit centre; target: 30-day approvals
- EEC Special Economic Zones — designated areas within the EEC with additional customs and tax benefits
- Digital infrastructure — 5G, smart city systems, digital free trade zone (at major nodes)
Is Bangpakong Inside the EEC?
Yes. Bangpakong, Chachoengsao is one of the three EEC provinces. KT Thai Property’s site at Bangna-Trad KM.42 falls within the EEC boundary — confirmed eligible for BOI promotion and Ror Ngor 4 factory licences. This is not a fringe location — it’s on the main Bangna-Trad road connecting Bangkok directly into the EEC industrial heartland.
EEC vs Bangkok for Warehouse Selection
| Factor | Bangkok Warehouse | EEC Warehouse (KT Thai) |
|---|---|---|
| BOI eligibility | Lower tier | Maximum tier (Zone 3+) |
| Rent | Higher (THB 200–350/sqm) | Lower (THB 120–200/sqm) |
| Flood risk | Higher (2011 floods hit many Bangkok warehouses) | No flood zone |
| Truck access | Urban congestion | Direct highway, 24/7 |
| Factory licence | Difficult in Bangkok zoning | Available (Ror Ngor 4) |
| Port proximity | Inland | 80 km Laem Chabang |
How to Qualify for EEC Benefits
- Incorporate a Thai company (or BOI company) — or use your foreign company with BOI promotion
- Identify your target BOI activity from EECO/BOI promoted list
- Locate your facility within the EEC boundary (our site qualifies)
- Apply to BOI through EECO’s One-Stop Service or BOI’s main office
- Begin operations within the timeframe specified in your BOI certificate
📞 081-147-8118 | 📧 info@ktthai.com | Line: @natree