A research study submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Master of Science

Research Studies Project Report (M. Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 1990

Before 1977, the economic development policy implemented in Thailand led to the problem of regional disparities. The severe concentration ha6 mostly taken place in the central region, especially in Bangkok, the primacy of which has become a major concern for balanced regional development. Therefore, the regional cities development policy was introduced in 1977 in order to remedy the regional . disparities and to decentralize the growth from Bangkok. Chiengmai, Nakhcnrajsima, Khon Kaen and Songkla have been in the first generation regional urban growth centers. The provision of urban infrastructure and services through the Regional Cities Development Project ha ~ been the principal mean ~ of developing and industrializing these cities in order to generate new economic opportunities outside the central region. Among the four regional urban growth center Nakhonrajsima has been undergoing rapid growth and has new become the second largaest city in Thailand. The major objective of this study is to reveal the changes which have been taking place with the implementation of the Regional cities Development Project by a case study of Nakhonrajsima. The aspects covered in this investigation included the employment absorption, trade expansion~ investment situation, industry establishment and migration. Analysis of compiled data show that substantial economic growth~ new investment and job creations have taken place in Nakhonrajsima. However the out-migration flow is still there . It is clearly found that not only the Regional Cities Development Project has positively contributed to the growth of Nakhonrajsima, the other main factors that have influenced this growth area the economic topography~ the communication network, industrialization policy, the Eastern Seaboard Development Project and of course the political factors.