Local people and land experts yesterday expressed concerns about the consequences of the industrial expansion and infrastructure development within three EEC provinces: Chon Buri, Rayong and Chachoengsao. The EEC Act is now officially in force after the law was published in the Government Gazette on Monday. Laksamon Attapitch, deputy secretary-general of EECO, said the EEC law empowered the government and local state agencies to make it easy for foreigners to invest in the three provinces. The EEC Act allows investors to cherry-pick any plot of land belonging to the official agencies, she said. Rangsan Prai-tale, a local fisherman from Chon Buri’s Bang Lamung District, said the new law only benefited investors, while neglecting the interests of local people.

Source: The Nation Bangkok May 15, 2018 18:00 UTC