Nakhon Phanom, Thailand

Demography

Source: National Statistic Office, Thailand database (Accessed: 20 July, 2017) - http://www.nso.go.th

Business Associations

Industries and Economic Zones

Source of Information: Thailand Board of Investment, SEZ http://www.boi.go.th/upload/content/BOI-book%202015_20150818_95385.pdf (Accessed 22 July, 2017)

Nakhon Phanom is one of the 2nd Phase of the Special Economic Development Zone according to NC-SEZ Announcement No. 2/2558

Nakhon Phanom Special Economic Zone comprising 13 sub-districts in 2 districts of Nakhon Phanom Province, as follows:

• Muang Nakhon Phanom District: 10 sub-districts including Kuruku, Ta Kor, Na Sai, Na Raj Kwai, Nai Muang, Ban Peung, Poh Tak, Nhong Yard, Nhong Sang, and Ard Samart.
• Ta U-Tane District: 3 sub-districts including Nohn Tan, Ram Raj, Vern Prabaht.

Nakhon Phanom Special Economic Zone “Cross-Border Trading and Logistic Service Areas”, 13 sub-districts in 2 districts of Nakhon Phanom Province including Muang Nakhon Phanom and Tha U-Tane. 

Competencies and Opportunities

• A channel for cross-border trade to Vietnam and Southern China (Guang Xi Province) with the highest trading value and competent to become a transportation route to East Asia (Japan, Korea, Taiwan) via Vung Ang Seaport in Vietnam.
• The development plan for Nakhon Phanom Airport and Ban Pai Railway (Khon Khaen)- Mahasarakam-Mukdahan-Nakhon Phanom will connect the railway in Nakhon Phanom with the main railway of Thailand, which offers opportunity to expand logistic activities, both domestic and international.
• Production hub of quality agro-products i.e. rice, sugar cane, and tapioca, which support the development of processed agroindustry. In addition, the rim of Khong River has a panoramic view, which is suitable for tourism and development of residential area for both Thai and foreign investors. Competence Activities
• Cross-border trade, areas providing logistical services and transportation.
• Land use for commercial zone and crossborder trade i.e. duty free shops, bonded warehouses, convention centers, hotels and tourism information centers.

Business Associations

Source of Information: The Bank companies websites as below: (Accessed 22 July, 2017)

Business Insurance & Assurance Service

Infrastructure and Facilities

Source of Information : Travel to Nakhon Phanom: http://www.nakhonphanom.go.th/nakhonphanom/traval2.php (Accessed 12 August, 2017)

Electricity

There are 206,580 users in the province and produced and used electricity 412,638,088 kw/hr.

Source: www.nso.go.th

Water Supply 

There are 35,433 users in the province, with the 4 stations of water supply cover an area of service 90.59 sq. km.

Source: Provincial waterworks authority: www.pwa.co.th

Road

From Bangkok, take Highway No. 1, Phaholyothin Road to Saraburi at km. 107 take Highway 2, Mitraphap Road, passing Nakhon Ratchasima to Ban Phai, Khon Kaen, then take Highway 23 through Mahasarakham, then take highway 213, then turn right into Kalasin Province and through Sakon Nakhon directly into Nakhon Phanom by Highway 22, total distance is about 740 kilometers.

Transportation

Living Environment for Expatriates

Investment Opportunities

Source of Information: The Government Public Relations Department, Nakhon Phanom Special Economic Zone http://thailand.prd.go.th/ewt_news.php?nid=3085&filename=index (Accessed 12 Aug, 2017)

As mentioned above, the Government gives high priority to the development of special economic zones to spread development to various part of the country and create economic connectivity with neighboring countries. Nakhon Phanom in the Northeast is among the 10 provinces where special economic zones will be set up.

Nakhon Phanom borders the Mekong River and is located opposite the Lao People’s Democratic Republic. It was named the happiest province in Thailand, according to a survey, conducted by the National Statistical Office in 2012. In this province, members of Thai, Lao, and Vietnamese ethnic groups have lived together in harmony for hundreds of years. 

The slogan of Nakhon Phanom is that it is a livable city and a gateway to ASEAN and southern and eastern China. The Nakhon Phanom Special Economic Zone covers an area of 774.79 square kilometers in two districts: Mueang Nakhon Phanom and Tha Uthen. 

This province has great potential for the development of the special economic zone. It is a frontline state, linking with Lao PDR and Vietnam through the "new trade lane” along the R12 route. The new trade lane begins at the Third Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge in Nakhon Phanom and continues to Thakhek and Khammouane in Laos and then to Ha Tinh province in Vietnam. A route from Ha Tinh also leads to Hanoi and China. 

In terms of economic growth, border trade in Nakhon Phanom is on the increase each year, especially after the opening of the Third Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge in 2013. Major economic crops in this province include rice, natural rubber, pineapple, tapioca, and tobacco. There are also several water sources suitable for fish farming.

The province has processing plants to produce beef, chicken, and pork for local consumption and export. Local residents earn a middle-range income, while family stability is high. They also lead their lives simply and peacefully.

In preparation for the establishment of the special economic zone, Nakhon Phanom is planning to set up a "One Stop Service Center” to promote investment and a logistics center to facilitate trade between Thailand and Laos, Vietnam, and southern China. A Border Economic and Trade Promotion Center will also be set up in the Third Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge vicinity, and a study is being conducted on the establishment of a border transport center.

Logistic Provider

Economic Indicators

Source of Information: GPP 2014, National Statistics Office - http://statbbi.nso.go.th , Nakhon Phanom province: Office of Treasury 2014 http://nakhonphanom.mol.go.th/sites/nakhonphanom.mol.go.th/files/4_bththii_1_3.pdf (Accessed 12 Aug, 2017)

Gross Domestic Product (GDP) / Gross Provincial Product (GPP)

*Exchange rate at 34.14 THB per 1 USD

Labor and Employment

According to NSO, there are 441,261 population at age over 15 and total labour workforce is 298,415 persons; there are 293,021 employed labour 5,110 unemployed, 284 are seasonally inactive labor force, and 142,846 are persons who not in labour force.

*Source: The Labor Force Survey, National Statistical Office, Ministry of Information and Communication Technology, http://service.nso.go.th/nso/web/statseries/statseries03.html (Accessed 22 July, 2017)

Trade (import and export)

Natural Resources

Source of Information: Nakhon Phanom province http://www.nakhonphanom.go.th/nakhonphanom/dataprovince.php (accessed 22 July, 2017)

Important river water sources of Nakhon Phanom include:

• The Mekong is a deep and very long river. The border between Thailand and the Lao People's Democratic Republic.
• War River originated in the district of Nong Han, in Udon Thani Province flow through the local Wanon nivas district Sakon Nakhon through Songkram district and flow into the Mekong River at Chai Buri, Tha Uthen District
• Yam river, the river originating in Sakon Nakhon Province flows through the local area of amphoe Si Songkram came to converge the War river Baan Pak Yam, Tumbol Sam Phong, Amphoe Sri Songkhram District
• Kham River origin in the area of Nakhon Phanom. It flows into the Mekong River in Nam Kham district, Amphoe That Phanom.
• Nam Oon River originated in Sakon Nakhon province. It is a line between Tha Uthen District and Si Songkhram District.

The mountain in Nakhon Phanom is the Phu Lanka mountains which passes through the Baan Peng district and lie into the Seka district of Nong Khai Province

Opportunities in Tourism

Source of Information:http://service.nso.go.th/nso/web/statseries/statseries23.html

Research and Development Center for Business and Production

Source: https://www.npu.ac.th/

Why invest in Nakhon Phanom

The Government gives high priority to the development of special economic zones to spread development to various part of the country and create economic connectivity with neighboring countries. Nakhon Phanom in the Northeast is among the 10 provinces where special economic zones will be set up.

Other provinces include Tak, Mukdahan, Sa Kaeo, Songkhla, Trat, Chiang Rai, Kanchanaburi, Nong Khai, and Narathiwat. 

Nakhon Phanom borders the Mekong River and is located opposite the Lao People’s Democratic Republic. It was named the happiest province in Thailand, according to a survey, conducted by the National Statistical Office in 2012. In this province, members of Thai, Lao, and Vietnamese ethnic groups have lived together in harmony for hundreds of years. 

The slogan of Nakhon Phanom is that it is a livable city and a gateway to ASEAN and southern and eastern China. The Nakhon Phanom Special Economic Zone covers an area of 774.79 square kilometers in two districts: Mueang Nakhon Phanom and Tha Uthen.

This province has great potential for the development of the special economic zone. It is a frontline state, linking with Lao PDR and Vietnam through the "new trade lane” along the R12 route. The new trade lane begins at the Third Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge in Nakhon Phanom and continues to Thakhek and Khammouane in Laos and then to Ha Tinh province in Vietnam. A route from Ha Tinh also leads to Hanoi and China. 

In terms of economic growth, border trade in Nakhon Phanom is on the increase each year, especially after the opening of the Third Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge in 2013. Major economic crops in this province include rice, natural rubber, pineapple, tapioca, and tobacco. There are also several water sources suitable for fish farming. 

The province has processing plants to produce beef, chicken, and pork for local consumption and export. Local residents earn a middle-range income, while family stability is high. They also lead their lives simply and peacefully. 

In preparation for the establishment of the special economic zone, Nakhon Phanom is planning to set up a "One Stop Service Center” to promote investment and a logistics center to facilitate trade between Thailand and Laos, Vietnam, and southern China. A Border Economic and Trade Promotion Center will also be set up in the Third Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge vicinity, and a study is being conducted on the establishment of a border transport center.

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Source of Information: The Government Public Relations Department, Nakhon Phanom Special Economic Zone http://thailand.prd.go.th/ewt_news.php?nid=3085&filename=index (Accessed 12 Aug, 2017)