The Thai Chamber of Commerce (TCC) has put forth a strategic initiative to advance 10 second-tier provinces to first-tier tourist destinations, aiming to diversify revenue streams and propel the national GDP growth target to 3%. This endeavor entails transforming these provinces into pivotal centers for trade, investment, and tourism. The selected provinces, including Phrae, Lampang, Nakhon Sawan, Nakhon Phanom, Sisaket, Chanthaburi, Ratchaburi, Kanchanaburi, Nakhon Si Thammarat, and Trang, span across all regions of Thailand.
This proposal aligns with a broader governmental agenda to fortify the tourism sector, focusing on infrastructure development and public utility enhancements in these locales while fostering sustainable local economic expansion. The objective is to bolster the domestic tourism market and augment the revenues of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has thrown his support behind the proposition, establishing a working group led by Prommin Lertsuridej, the secretary-general to the prime minister. This collaborative effort between the government, the TCC, and pertinent public agencies will commence with Nakhon Phanom as the inaugural province, with plans to integrate the remaining nine provinces within the year.
In conjunction with this initiative, the TCC has launched the “FAST SMEs” project in partnership with three other agencies. This project aims to enhance the competitiveness of agricultural SMEs through mentorship, networking opportunities, and study trips focused on food innovation.
