On 26 October, Thailand's Eastern Economic Corridor Policy Committee approved four new special zones in Chonburi and Rayong, with expected investment of THB 25.664 billion and 12,700 to 14,700 jobs. In the same week, the Data Center Policy Committee approved a draft data center regulatory policy, which is expected to be submitted to the Cabinet.
Four New Special Zones
At its third meeting of 2026 (26 October), the Eastern Economic Corridor Policy Committee approved four new special zones, with expected total investment of THB 25.664 billion (approx. RMB 5.65 billion) and 12,700 to 14,700 jobs:
| Special Zone | Location | Area | Expected Investment |
|---|
| E-Tech Smart Park | Ban Bueng District, Chonburi | 610 rai | THB 19.75 billion |
| New Horizon City | Si Racha District, Chonburi | 572 rai | THB 4 billion |
| Phanat Nikhom Special Zone | Phanat Nikhom District, Chonburi | 507 rai | THB 1.669 billion |
| Next-Generation Automotive Special Zone | Pluak Daeng District, Rayong | 70 rai | THB 245 million |
The government website stressed that once an estate is approved as a special zone, businesses located there do not automatically receive incentives; they must apply separately under the Eastern Economic Corridor Act B.E. 2561 (2018).
Draft Data Center Regulatory Policy
On 27 October, the Thai government website reported that the Data Center Policy Committee had approved a draft data center regulatory policy, which includes minimum requirements and classifies data centers into 7 tiers by power consumption (from 0-0.5 MW to 200 MW and above). It is expected to be submitted to the Cabinet next week. It remains a draft.
Key Points
The Eastern Economic Corridor adds four special zones, with expected investment of THB 25.664 billion and 12,700 to 14,700 jobs.
Businesses in the special zones must apply separately for incentives; they do not receive them automatically.
The draft data center regulatory policy sets 7 tiers by power consumption and is pending Cabinet review.
Z&X Insight
For manufacturing projects located in the Eastern Economic Corridor, the application paths and conditions for BOI and special zone incentives differ. They should be compared together before the site is decided, and the approval milestones built into the production plan. Z&X Company Registration & Approval Services for Chinese Manufacturers in Thailand work backward from the production start date, placing company setup, BOI, factory licensing, equipment import and staff visas on a single schedule; for how each workstream is arranged, see the solution page (https://www.zhongxintax.com/en-solutions/92 ).
Sources
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