TTLA: The economic integration process of Eastern Thailand in the Southern Economic Corridor project of the Greater Mekong Subregion Cooperation (1998-2019)

 

1. Full name of the PhD student: Jirayoot Seemung 2. Gender: Male

3. Date of birth: December 21, 1986 4. Place of birth: Thailand
5. Decision on recognition of PhD students No. 2859/QD-XHNV, dated November 2, 2017 of the President of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi.
6. Changes in the training process: - RegardingAdjust the doctoral thesis topic of the graduate student according to decision number:3129/QD-XHNV dated October 30, 2018 of the President of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities;
- Regarding changing/adjusting the doctoral thesis topic of a graduate student according to Decision No. 1485/QD-XHNV-DT dated July 21, 2021 of the President of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities;
- Regarding the extension of the study period of PhD students of course QH-2017-X (from November 3, 2020 to November 2, 2021) according to Decision No. 1570/QD-XHNV dated September 7, 2020 of the President of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities;
- Regarding the extension of the study period of PhD students (from November 3, 2021 to November 2, 2022) according to Decision No. 1964/QD-XHNV-DT dated September 30, 2021 of the President of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities.
7. Thesis topic: The economic integration process of Eastern Thailand in the Southern Economic Corridor project of the Greater Mekong Subregion Cooperation (1998-2019)
8. Major: International Relations 9. Code: 62 31 02 06
10. Scientific advisors: 1. Prof. Dr. Pham Quang Minh

11.Summary of new results of the thesis:
The purpose of the thesis is to study the economic development and integration process of Eastern Thailand in terms of infrastructure, trade relations, investment and production area linkage in the Southern Economic Corridor (SEC) project under the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) cooperation. From there, analyze the impact factors, evaluate the results, trends and finally, propose policy suggestions to strengthen economic integration, cooperation and linkage of Eastern Thailand and the Mekong region to promote advantages effectively and sustainably. With the main results as follows:
The economic integration process of the Eastern region, Thailand in the SEC project under GMS cooperation is divided into two stages: First, the period 1998-2010 is characterized by the economic integration of the Eastern region, Thailand in the SEC project being expanded. In which, the Eastern region's economy increased, trade relations between the Eastern border, Thailand and Cambodia were expanded. Especially when Thailand adjusted its foreign and economic policies. Second, the period 2011-2019, this is the stage of in-depth development implemented by the Thai government and began to improve the economic quality in the Eastern region. At the same time, promoting the connection of the Eastern region with economic corridor projects in general and the SEC project in particular, aiming to develop the Eastern region into a logistics center of the Mekong River region. Cross-border trade relations during this period developed significantly, not only between Thailand and Cambodia, but also expanded to Vietnam along the SEC Project from 2010 onwards. The production linkage between Thailand and Cambodia increased sharply during the period 2010-2019, but the production linkage between Thailand and Vietnam remained small in scale, however, the SEC Project contributed to supporting the movement of production bases across waterways between the three countries.
Based on the research results and analysis, the integration of the Eastern region in the SEC project tends to deepen and expand in the future. This growth trend is due to internal factors in Thailand and the favorable location of this project that can connect the region not only by land but also by water. Cross-border trade relations and direct investment from Thailand to Cambodia and Vietnam will increase and especially the linkage of production bases.
In order for the Eastern region of Thailand to integrate more effectively with the SEC Project, this study has proposed a number of policy guidelines on domestic and foreign affairs as follows: (1) Proposed socio-economic policies for the Eastern region: Proposed policy guidelines based on improving the effectiveness of projects in the region; promoting the distribution of economic benefits and improving the living standards of local people. (2) Proposed foreign policy: Proposed policy guidelines based on multilateralizing foreign policy and multi-level cooperation; enhancing cooperation to strengthen regional integration links on the basis of mutual benefit and participation of all parties; creating a regionalization situation from the bottom up.
12. Practical application:
The thesis is a practical reference source for those interested in this topic as well as contributing to raising awareness and sense of cooperation for development of the community of countries in the GMS cooperation in particular and the ASEAN region in general. In addition, the thesis is also a reference source for government agencies and localities related to the SEC Project in orientation, policies, practices and measures to improve cooperation efficiency, promote regional development.
13. Further research directions: None
14. Published works related to the thesis:

 

1. Full name: Jirayoot Seemung 2. Gender: Male

3. Date of birth: December 21, 1986 4. Place of birth: Thailand
5. Admission decision number: 2859/QD-XHNV, on November 2, 2017 by the Rector of USSH, VNU
6. Changes in academic process: - Changing the PhD thesis topic according to Decision No.3129/QD-XHNV, on October 30, 2018 by the Rector of USSH, VNU;
-Changing/ Adjustment of the PhD thesis topic according to Decision No.1485/QD-XHNV-DT, on 21 July 2021 by the Rector of USSH, VNU;
- Regarding the extension of the study period of PhD student QH-2017-X (from 3 November 2020 to 2 November 2021) according to Decision No.: 1570/QD-XHNV, on 7 September 2020 by the Rector of USSH, VNU;
- Regarding the extension of the study period of PhD student (from 3 November 2021 to 2 November 2022) according to Decision No.: 1964/QD-XHNV-DT, on 30 September 2021 by the Rector of USSH, VNU
7. Official thesis title: Economic integration process of Eastern Thailand in the Southern Economic Corridor Project under The Greater Mekong Subregion Economic Cooperation Program (1998-2019)
8. Major: International Relations 9. Code: 62 31 02 06
10. Supervisors: 1. Prof. Dr. Pham Quang Minh
11. Summary of the new findings of the thesis:
The research aim of the thesis is to study the economic development and integration process of Eastern Thailand into the Southern Economic Corridor (SEC) project in terms of infrastructure, trade relations, investment and linkage in the manufacturing sector in the SEC project under the GMS cooperation. Thereby, analyze the influencing factors, evaluate the results and trends, and finally, make suggestions for policies to enhance economic integration, cooperation and linkage in the Eastern Thailand, and the Mekong Region in order to promote advantages effectively and sustainably. With the following main findings:
The economic integration process of Eastern Thailand in the Southern Economic Corridor (SEC) Project under the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) Economic Cooperation Program is divided into two stages: first, in the period of 1998-2010, the economic integration features of Eastern Thailand in the SEC project were expanded. In particular, the economy of Eastern Thailand grew strongly, and trade relations between the border of Eastern Thailand and Cambodia were expanded, especially when Thailand adjusted its foreign and economic policies; Secondly, in the period of 2011-2019, this is a period of in-depth development because the Government of Thailand implemented and started to improve the quality of the economy in Eastern Thailand. At the same time, linkages have been promoted between Eastern Thailand and economic corridor projects in general and the SEC project in particular in order to develop the Eastern Thailand to become the logistics center of the Mekong River region. Cross-border trade relations during this period significantly, not only between Thailand and Cambodia, but also expanded to Vietnam along the SEC Project from 2010 onwards. Although the production linkage between Thailand and Cambodia has increased sharply in the period of 2010 - 2019, the one between Thailand and Vietnam only accounts for a small percentage. However, the SEC Project has contributed to supporting the movement of production facilities through waterways between the three countries.
Based on the research results and analysis, the integrated situation of Eastern Thailand in the SEC project tends to be more and more deepened and expanded in the future. This growth trend is due to the internal factors of Thailand and the favorable location of this project which can link the region not only by road but also by waterway. Thailand's cross-border trade and direct investment in Cambodia and Vietnam will further increase, and especially linkage between production facilities.
In order for Eastern Thailand to integrate with the SEC Project more effectively, this study has some suggestions to propose policy guidelines on domestic and foreign affairs as follows: (1) Propose socio-economic policies for Eastern Thailand: With the proposal of policy guidelines based on improving the efficiency of projects in the region; promote the distribution of economic benefits and raise the living standards of indigenous peoples. (2) Propose foreign policies: Propose policy guidelines on the basis of multilateralization of foreign policy and multi-level cooperation; enhance cooperation to strengthen regional integration links on the basis of mutual benefits for participants; create regionalization from the bottom up.
12. Practical applicability, if any:
The thesis is a practical reference source for those interested in this topic as well as contributing to raising the awareness and sense of cooperation for mutual development of the community of GMS countries in particular and the ASEAN region in general. In addition, the thesis is also a reference source for Government and local authorities related to the SEC project in orienting, undertaking, practicing and taking measures to improve cooperation efficiency and promote regional development.
13. Further research direction, if any: No
14. Thesis-related publications: