An aerotropolis is a city where the layout, infrastructure, industry, and economy are centered on and sustained by an airport. The aerotropolis enhances economic development within 20-30 kilometers from the airport, which serves as a multimodal “airport city” commercial center. It is similar in form to a traditional city, which contains

1. The airport’s aeronautical, logistics, and commercial facilities, anchoring a multimodal, multifunctional airport city as its center; and
2. Outlying corridors and clusters of aviation-oriented businesses and industries, and associated residential developments that feed off each other and their accessibility to the airport and other key transport and urban nodes.

• – Logistics and distribution centres
• – High-value, time-critical manufacturing firms
• – Office buildings and business parks
• – Hotel, convention, and exhibition complexes
• – Tourist and entertainment venues
• – Retail centers and wholesale merchandise marts
• – ICT (digital) and R&D parks
• – Bioscience and medical clusters
• – Higher education campuses
• – Mixed-use commercial/residential developments

The Aerotropolis proposes to provide businesses located near or with good transport access to Suvarnabhumi and U-Tapao Airports with speedy connectivity to their national and worldwide suppliers, customers, clients, and enterprise partners. It also sees the opportunity to draw tourists and attract investment in high-end manufacturing and modern business services by powering up the eastern seaboard airports, seaports, and improved multimodal surface transport connectivity. In the long run, this will greatly benefit the EEC municipalities and provinces. 

EEC Aerotropolis Strategic Objectives

1. Make the EEC the fastest, most agile, and best-connected location to do business in Southeast Asia.
2. Improved surface transportation connects firms more efficiently to key EEC clusters and broader regional markets.
3. Utilize speedy connectivity to attract high-value, time-critical aviation-oriented businesses and industries that will accelerate the growth and modernize the economic base of Thailand’s Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), leading the economic transformation of the nation.
4. Reinforce the above through labor-force upgrading and well- designed aviation-linked urban, commercial, industrial, and tourist clusters that are economically efficient, attractive, and sustainable.
5. Fully leverage the Fifth Wave of transportation-driven development.

Reference:  Aerotropolis Business Concepts by John D. Kasarda, PhD

The Thailand SMART Visa is a new type of visa designed to encourage highly skilled professionals and investors to support the development of Thailand’s targeted industries. SMART Visa is open to foreign specialists, executives, entrepreneurs and investors who want to work or to invest in the 10 S-Curve industries or targeted industries.

Thailand Smart Visa applications will only apply to the ‘S-Curve’ targeted industries:

First S-Curve Industries

• Next-Generation Automotive
• Intelligent Electronics
• Advance Agriculture and Biotechnology
• Food Processing
• High Wealth and Medical Tourism

The Five New S-Curve Industries

• Digital Industry
• Automation and Robotics
• Aviation and Logistics
• Biochemical and Biofuel
• Comprehensive Healthcare Industry

 

Thailand SMART Visa Benefits and Privileges

1. Visa validity up to 4 years (instead of the usual 1 year)
2. No work permit required
3. Extension of reporting of stay to Immigration Bureau – from every 90-day to every year
4. The right of legal dependents (children who are older than 18 years old) of SMART Visa holder to live and work in Thailand equivalent to Smart Visa Holder (this benefit is applicable only to the holder of SMART Visa Type “T” only)
5. Spouse granted permission to work without work permit requirement
6. No re-entry permit required

 

Thailand SMART Visa categories and qualifications

Talent (SMART “T”)

Highly skilled professionals in the fields of science and technology

• Minimum salary of no less than 200,000 Baht or equivalent per month (exclusive of other benefits and welfares)
• Having an employment contract or service contract with an entity in Thailand with the remaining term of at least 1 year
• Having expertise in science and technology relevant to the targeted industries and endorsed by a government agency (Except for experts who work for a government agency)
• Employers in Thailand must be certified for being engaged in the targeted industries by a relevant government agency such as the National Innovation Agency (Public Organization) and the Digital Economy Promotion Agency. In case of employers being a government agency, the certification of being in the targeted industries shall be done by that agency.
• Smart visa “T”, children have the right to work equivalent to the Visa holder.

 

Investor (SMART “I”)

Investors in companies using technologies in manufacturing or delivering services and being in the targeted industries

• Directly investing in one or more companies in Thailand using technology as a base in manufacturing or delivering services and are in the targeted industries as an individual investor in the total amount of at least 20 million Baht
• The investment must be maintained throughout the validity period of the smart visa.
• The business to be set up or invested in must be certified as being the ones using technology in manufacturing or delivering services and being in the targeted industries by the relevant agencies such as the National Innovation Agency, Digital Economy Promotion Agency and National Science and Technology Development Agency.

 

Executive (SMART “E”)

Senior executives working in the companies using technology in manufacturing or delivering services and being in the targeted industries

• Minimum salary of no less than 200,000 Baht or equivalent per month (exclusive of other benefits and welfares)
• Holder of a bachelor’s degree or higher with at least 10 years of work experience in the relevant field
• Having an employment contract with a company in Thailand or in a foreign country with an assignment to work in Thailand. The remaining period of the employment contract must be at least 1 year.
• Holding a senior management position such as Chairman or Managing Director
• The employing companies must be certified as being the ones using technology in manufacturing or delivering services and being in the targeted industries by the relevant agencies such as the National Innovation Agency (Public Organization), Digital Economy Promotion Agency and National Science and Technology Development Agency

 

Startup (SMART “S”)

Foreign startup entrepreneurs who wish to invest in the targeted industries in Thailand

• Having a fixed savings account in Thailand or in a foreign country with a balance of not less than 600,000 Baht or equivalent and the remaining maturity term of at least 1 year
• In the case of being accompanied by spouses and children, an additional amount of fixed savings of at least 180,000 Baht per person or equivalent is required.
• Having health insurance policy covering the entire course of stay in Thailand for the applicants of the SMART Visa, and for the accompanying spouse and the children
• Participating in an incubation or accelerator program, or a similar program endorsed by a government agency such as the National Innovation Agency (Public Organization), the Digital Economy Promotion Agency. The programs must also be in the targeted industries.
• In case of not participating in an incubator or a similar program, the applicant must receive joint venture funding or endorsed by a government agency such as the Digital Economy Promotion Agency.
• The applicants must set up a company in Thailand within one year. The business or investment activities must be certified as being in the targeted industries by relevant government agencies such as the National Innovation Agency (Public Organization), the Digital Economy Promotion Agency. The applicants must hold no less than 25% of the company’s shares or assume a position of a director of the company.

 

Others (SMART “O”)

Legal dependents such as spouse and children.   

Foreigners wanting to apply for the Thailand Smart Visa will first need to apply for and obtain a Qualification Endorsement letter from the SMART Visa Unit. The SMART Visa Unit will check the application for qualification, and then submit to the relevant government agency for endorsement. The whole process will take around 30 working days.

 

Please See Related Pages under Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC)

• Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC)
• Eastern Economic Corridor of Innovation (EECi)
• Digital Park Thailand
• U-Tapao International Airport Development

U-Tapao International Airport plays a vital role in the development of the Thailand’s Eastern Economic Corridor under the Thailand 4.0 scheme. There are major developmental plans to expand the airport’s capacity since the government aims to turn U-Tapao International Airport into a third major destination for airlines. This will enable business expansions, as well as to better facilitate the establishment of the Special Economic Zone in anticipation of the EEC expansion. This major project accepts private investments in developing the U-Tapao International Airport as a part of the U-Tapao Airport and Eastern Airport City Development Project. 

U-Tapao Rayong-Pattaya International Airport, under the authority of Thai Navy, is located at Baanchang District, Rayong Province.  It occupies a land area of approximately 1040 hectares (6,500 rai, 2,570 acres). Currently, it has one runway with 52 bays and there are 2 passenger terminals, which can support 700,000 domestic and international passengers per year and it handles between 80,000 to 100,000 flights per year.

Private Public Partnership investments will allow continuous development of the airport and many various activities including:

• Passenger Terminal 3 and the Commercial Gateway  
• Air Cargo facilities – Phase II  
• Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facilities – Phase II 
• Aviation Training Centre – Phase II 
• Free Trade Zone 

When these modernization and expansion plans of existing runway and new passenger and cargo terminals are ready; it will bring about a massive capacity increase from the current 800,000 passengers to around 3 million passengers per year.  By 2021, the building of a second runway is about to happen. This will then enable the airport to reach its goal of handling 250,000 yearly flights in the future.

High Speed Train and double track railway and motorway expansion will soon provide interconnectivity between U-Tapao, Suvarnabhumi and Don Muang International Airports by a high-speed rail line. Furthermore, constructing a third terminal, having private sector to manage and operate it, is also taken into consideration. In combination, all three terminals will be able to accommodate up to 60 million passengers per year. Not only will it help alleviate the crowding of Bangkok’s other main airports but it will also result to a high increase in revenue. The growth of U-Tapao International Airport will bring an influx of tourists and businessmen to Pattaya and The Eastern Seaboard. Pattaya, a popular tourism area near U-Tapao, will greatly benefit from these expansion plans. Hence, Pattaya is undoubtedly foreseen to grow in the years ahead. Apparently, the increase of tourists will impact the hotels, restaurants, real estate market, and the general economy of Pattaya.

 

Please See Related Pages under Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC)

• Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC)
• Eastern Economic Corridor of Innovation (EECi)
• Digital Park Thailand
• U-Tapao International Airport Development
• Thailand SMART Visa

 

The development of the Eastern Economic Corridor of Innovation (EECi) has been proposed by The Ministry of Science and Technology to support the innovative research and development and involving the government, private-sector organizations, universities and local communities. It aims to advance and transform existing industries as well as to develop the new strategic industries, both within the Eastern Economic Corridor and in other parts of the country. Its ultimate goal is to make Thailand a country that prospers on innovation, to upgrade the quality of life of local people and the country towards a sustainable future.

The Main Objectives of Eastern Economic Corridor of Innovation (EECi)

1. Technology and innovation research and development, designed to reach “the real world”, such as to achieve scientific findings in a laboratory setting that can be “translated” into practical industrial applications.
2. Transferring technologies to the industrial sector in order to develop the country’s 10 targeted industries, by upgrading and strengthening existing industries and creating new industries with high levels of technology. The EECi will also promote startups with high levels of technology and innovation, a move that is seen as fundamental to the growth of new industries, both within the EECi and in other parts of the country.
3. Creating links to networks of research and development both within Thailand and overseas, to help generate an innovative society with high levels of technology and to achieve a working integration, or “triple helix” relationship, between the private sector, educational and research institutes, and government organizations. To extend the “triple helix” concept by involving people in local communities, thus creating a “quadruple helix” working integration.

Focused Industries

1. Modern Agriculture & Biotechnology
2. Biofuels and Bio-Chemicals
3. High Performance Battery and Modern Transports
4. Automation, Robotics, & Smart Electronics
5. Satellite and Aviation
6. Medical Devices & Supplies

5 Platforms

1. STI Solution for Industries & Communities
2. Research and Innovation
3. Workforce Development
4. Research and Quality Infrastructure
5. International Collaboration & Tech Transfer

Three Targeted Sectors of Technology and Innovation in Eastern Economic Corridor of Innovation (EECi) are:

1. ARIPOLIS: A research and innovation center for automation, robotics and intelligent systems

The focus here will be on serving the digital economy, which is Thailand’s main development target. From Aripolis will spring the stimulation and encouragement to create a new industry based on:

• -Automation
• -Robotics
• -Intelligent Systems
• -Internet of Things (IoT)
• -Sensors
• -Big Data
• -ICT Security

This will not only directly enhance economic growth, but will also provide crucial support to the transformation and development of the other nine strategic industries, whether they are located within the EECi or elsewhere in the country.

 

2. BIOPOLIS: A center for research and innovation in life sciences and biotechnology

The aim is to drive the development of the country’s agricultural economy with science, technology, and innovation, to create value-added products from agriculture goods and continuously create growth opportunities for agricultural industries. This enhanced agricultural development will give Thailand an increased and sustainable competitive advantage.

Biopolis will support the bioeconomy scheme, which covers the following industries:

• -Smart Agriculture
• -Functional Ingredient/Nutraceutical
• -Biofuel/Bioenergy
• -Bioplastic/Biomaterial
• -Biochemical
• -Biomedical/Biopharma

Biopolis will also expand collaboration in life sciences and biotechnology research and development to increase agricultural productivity, improve seed stocks and transform raw agricultural goods into high-value products.

 

3. KRENOVAPOLIS: A center for creating innovations in space technology and geo-informatics

It aims to provide fundamental infrastructure for innovations in science and geo-informatics, applying to many fields and technologies; to utilize intellectual capital; to create knowledgeable and skilled workers; and to develop an innovative economy for Thailand.

• -Ground Station & Operations Support
• -Maritime Solutions
• -Agriculture Solutions
• -Navigation and Location-based Services

 

Location

 

Wangchan Valley – Tambon Payupnai, Wangchan District, Rayong Province

The EECi site at Wangchan Valley that will concentrate on Aripolis and Biopolis, covers about 3000 rai (480 hectares). The Kamnoetvidya Science Academy (KVIS), the Vidyasirimedhi Institute of Science and Technology (VISTEC), and the Wangchan Reforestation Project occupies it. Together, they cover about 1000 rai, leaving about 2000 rai (320 hectares) to be developed by the Ministry of Science and Technology and PTT Public Company Limited.

More than 30 industrial estates in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) surround the Wangchan Valley. It is close to modern transportation systems, including motorways, High-speed railway, U-Tapao International Airport, Ports at Laem Chabang and Chuk Samet and Tourism centers and areas growing major industrial crops.

Wangchan Valley will receive fundamental infrastructure to support research, development and innovation activities. It will have areas for private sector research and development, a startup and innovation center and a national quality infrastructure for verification, evaluation and certification. It will also have “translation” research infrastructure such as pilot plants, demonstration plants and living laboratories where scientific findings can be “translated” into practical industrial applications. Moreover, Wangchan Valley will have residential areas, meeting facilities, a fitness center, sustainable green spaces, hotels and other facilities, including international schools and bilingual schools to meet the needs of both Thai and foreign experts. These will be available to privately-sector people as well as other target groups, to create Thailand’s leading venue for innovation development.

 

Space Krenovation Park (SKP) – Sriracha District, Chonburi Province

This is being developed on 120 rai (19.2 hectares) of land, which will provide a focal point on Krenovapolis. The site is already home to Thailand’s Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA), part of the Ministry of Science and Technology.

 

Please See Related Pages under Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC)

• Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC)
• Digital Park Thailand
• U-Tapao International Airport Development
• Thailand SMART Visa