Map Ta Phut as an Exemplar of the Industrial Estates of Thailand

Abstract

The industrial estate has played an important part in the post-WWII economic development of Thailand, representing a focal point for the inward investment necessary to promote the version of the East Asian Economic Model employed in the country. Industrial estates have also been influential in shaping internal labour migration and in determining which economic activities provide competitive advantage in export sectors. The presence of the estates has not, however, been entirely positive since migration is often associated with social issues, because of excessive industrial pollution and because they made profitable otherwise unprofitable and undesirable activities. One of the largest and most significant industrial estates is that of Map Ta Phut, which is located on the eastern seaboard of Thailand. This estate has become particularly strongly linked with the presence of industrial pollution and with the protests of local residents who claim their health has been negatively affected by the various factories and facilities involved. This paper adopts Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate as an exemplar of all industrial estates of Thailand and uses it to identify the various characteristics and individualities of the Thai version of this institution. By doing this, lessons are drawn for both business practitioners and policy-makers concerning the regulation of pollution and other administrative activities, together with forward planning for employment and labour market upgrading.