The Border of Area Development Model to Promote the Service Industry and Border Trade in Ban Pak Saeng, Na Tan district, Ubon Ratchathani Province DOI:

Abstract

The Thai government has approved the construction of the 6th Thai-Lao friendship bridge across the Mekong river. The Ban Pak Saeng checkpoint has been allocated a budget for the fiscal year 2026 to upgrade trade between Thailand and the Lao PDR, and to serve as a transit route for goods through Laos to Da Nang, Vietnam. This research aims to: 1) To study the problems and obstacles in the development of the Ban Pak Saeng permanent checkpoint border trade area, and 2) To study a development model for the Ban Pak Saeng permanent checkpoint border trade area to promote trade and investment.

          This study employed a mixed-methods research design. Phase 1: The qualitative, involving document analysis, observation, and interviews with 20 participants, including government officials, business people, entrepreneurs, and consumers. The research tools included surveys and interview forms, with data analyzed through content analysis. Phase 2: The quantitative, collecting data from a sample group of 385 people via questionnaires. The data was analyzed using statistics, including percentage, mean, and standard deviation. Phase 3: The involved a focus group discussion with 15 participants, including government officials, business people, entrepreneurs, the provincial chamber of commerce, local administrative organizations, and community representatives. The data was analyzed using content analysis. The research findings are as follows:

1. The problems and obstacles in the development of the Ban Pak Saeng permanent checkpoint border trade area: findings from interviews, document analysis, and focus group discussions revealed the following issues: 1) The government policy and budget: problems with slow and unclear implementation of government policies and plans, which are not aligned with the needs of border localities. 2) The management: issues with unsystematic organization of border trade, complicated border crossing procedures, and a lack of continuous cooperation between the two countries and local agencies. 3) The urban and specific zone planning: lack of designated zones to support expansion; shops are temporary, non-standard structures. 4) The checkpoint infrastructure development: transportation of goods between Thailand and Lao PDR relies on private ferries. The public utilities, transportation systems, and transport routes are inadequate to support border trade. 5) The regulations, laws, and agreements: local authorities have limited power. There are legal and regulatory discrepancies between Thailand and the Lao PDR. 6) The economy: there is a disparity in purchasing power and per capita income between the people of Thailand and the Lao PDR. The Lao PDR primarily uses a cash-based system for transactions. 7) The social and environmental: the opening of the border trade checkpoint will attract various industries to the area. The villagers are selling their land to capitalists, leading to illegal deforestation and encroachment.


2. A model for border area development to promote the service industry and border trade at Ban Pak Saeng: The sample group's overall opinion on the development model was at a high level. When considering individual aspects, the highest agreement was for promoting business and the service industry with an average of 4.42, followed by physical and environmental aspects with an average of 4.32, The border trade area management with an average of 4.23, and security with an average of 4.15, respectively. The interviews and focus group discussions concurred, emphasizing that a border area development model should focus on: 1) The promoting business and the service industry: The developing border trade potential, fostering international cooperation, promoting government-led trade development, stimulating investment in border trade, and encouraging investment in the Lao PDR. 2) The physical and environmental aspects: improving transportation and traffic, maintaining cleanliness and safety, implementing urban planning, and developing the landscape and public facilities. 3) The area management: developing laws, regulations, and measures that are suitable for effectively fostering border area development and promoting investment. 4) The security: encouraging the public and private sectors to collaborate on monitoring the area to prevent the smuggling of illegal goods and undocumented labor. The community and local organizations should be involved in the development and management of the border market.