Thailand’s Industrial Estate Authority (IEAT) has unveiled an "Econopolis" strategy to transform existing industrial zones into modern, sustainable economic clusters, aiming to raise the nation’s investment-to-GDP ratio to 27 percent through approximately three trillion baht in new investment over the next three years.

The model focuses on diversifying supply chains, attracting high-growth sectors such as bio-circular-green industries, electric vehicles and smart electronics, and making environmental sustainability—including renewable energy and circular economy features—a central dimension of development.

Regulatory incentives, streamlined approvals and community integration are part of a broader shift to position industrial estates as environmentally responsible and globally competitive hubs.

IEAT also plans to convert selected zones into green industrial towns and is launching its Smart Park industrial estate in Rayong, a 12-billion-baht project powered in part by hydrogen and solar energy, with infrastructure segmented into industrial, commercial, green space and floating solar zones.

The initiative includes expansion alongside the deep-sea port at Map Ta Phut, where the port’s third phase is nearing completion.