Transcript of the above video: 

As the title of this video suggests, we are discussing Thailand's Eastern Economic Corridor. For those who are unaware, the prior Government here in Thailand and this Government moving forward, is pretty heavily committed to major infrastructural improvements in what is being called Thailand's Eastern Economic Corridor in an effort to basically attract both foreign investment and foreign trade. If anything, I think Thailand is set to become a Boom Town in terms of foreign trade moving forward especially as we see the rise of an industrializing Eurasia and increasingly competitive sort of global Maritime economy as well as air based as well economies. So again, Thailand has a great infrastructure regarding airports. It's building an even greater infrastructure regarding seaports although it does have a pretty formidable seaport in the form of Lam Chabang at the moment and this current Government has been talking about things involving the so-called Land Bridge. 

Thailand's Eastern Economic Corridor is a geographical area that encompasses Chachoengsao, Chonburi and Rayong. It's notable that Lam Chabang is in there, the port as well as the incorporated Municipality of Pattaya, one of only two incorporated municipalities in Thailand, that and Bangkok. So it's kind of a crux if you will of economic activity, business activity and even to some extent administrative activity here in Thailand. 

I thought of making this video after reading a recent article from the Thai Examiner, that's thaiexaminer.com, the article is titled: Harman, an advanced US electronic supplier to carmakers invest B2.8 billion in new Chonburi plant. Quoting directly: "Harman, a US-based electronics supplier to carmakers and a subsidiary of SangSom, (not SangSom the rum) “Samsung”, (the electronics manufacturers – sorry maybe a Freudian slip there) - quoting further: "invests B2.8 billion in a new factory in Chonburi's Eastern Economic Corridor. The project, creating 1,200 jobs," I say that again, "1,200 jobs", jobs, jobs, we need jobs, we love jobs in Thailand especially highly skilled jobs, especially technological jobs, we love jobs. Quoting further: "By 2026, highlights Thailand's talent pool and location. On Thursday, the ground was turned on a new US advanced electronics factory to be situated in the Eastern Economic Corridor, (EEC) area. US-based firm, Harman, a subsidiary of Samsung," (not SangSom) "has chosen Thailand as its Southeast Asian base. The B2.8 billion project will initially employ 1,200 people by 2026, with early hiring to start at the end of the year. Speaking on Thursday in the presence of Ministry of Industry, Pimpatra Wichaikul, Mr Christian Sobottka said one of the reasons his firm was moving to Thailand was because of the talent pool available." 

Yeah, people don't really think of that but look there are some great universities here in Thailand: Mahidol University, Chula University, Thammasat more so for Law, but like Mahidol for stem, for Tech, it's pretty high up there on the list. I mean they are quite sophisticated here. So I can totally see where the Thailand's labour pool would probably be attractive to foreign investors. Interesting to see that an American company is coming in.

Professional curiosity causes me to wonder if they are coming in certified under the provisions of the US-Thai Treaty of Amity. For those who are unaware of what that is, that allows American Companies and businesses to be 100% American owned and still receive "national treatment" pursuant to the terms of the Treaty which allows those folks to go ahead and be considered as if they were a Thai Company so they don't have to deal with the vagaries of the so-called Foreign Business Act. That said I don't know the details with regard to this, I'm just kind of curious, but this is good news. I think and I am hoping that this is signs of a further trend of significant investment in Thailand's Eastern Economic Corridor.