The 2009 World Development Report (WDR)on economic geography aroused interest among policymakers inThailand and led to an agreement between the Office of theNational Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB) andthe East Asia Poverty Reduction and Economic Management Unitof the World Bank to collaborate on a study of the Bangkokurban region which is Thailand's engine of growth.This report is the fruit of continuous collaboration betweenthe NESDB and the World Bank. This report was prepared by ajoint NESDB-World Bank team. For over three decades,Thailand has consistently ranked as one of the fastestgrowing Southeast Asian economies. This growth performanceis principally the result of high levels of domestic andforeign investment that enabled Thailand to build adiversified, export oriented industrial economy and absorbtechnologies from more advanced countries. Much of thisindustrialization has been concentrated in Bangkok and fiveadjacent provinces that comprise the Bangkok metropolitanregion and, in recent years, a few provinces further to thesouth east which are now a part of the Bangkok urban region.The principal economic challenge for Thailand is to enhancethe industrial potential of the region so as to sustain realGross Domestic Product (GDP) growth at between five and sixpercent per annum. This is well below the growth rates ofeight and nine percent per annum achieved during 1985-1995.Bangkok must ensure that public amenities, services, housingand transport infrastructures receive sustained attentionand financing.The quality of life will be vital toretaining a large talent pool, attracting investment andsustaining the tourist industry.
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