The Internal Security Operations Command advised eastern provinces to work together to solve the transportation, agriculture, labor and environmental issues facing the region.
ISOC Region 1 officials said Jan. 17 that it recently surveyed Chonburi, Rayong, Chanthaburi and Trat to identify obstacles to peace and reconciliation.
Top issues identified were traffic, illegal alien workers, waste management, and the lack of a central farmer’s market.
The military command said resolving those issues was important as the Eastern Seaboard plays a key role in Southeast Asian commerce.
However, connections to Laem Chabang Port and U-Tapao-Rayong-Pattaya Airport are clogged with congestion due to a lack of an effective traffic management system.
On the agricultural front, a lack of a central market results in a lack of bargaining power for farmers, the ISOC said.
The survey found that, despite Thailand having near full employment, people believe they are losing jobs to illegal migrant workers. People also blame the migrants for the country’s human-trafficking, environmental, drugs and crime problems.
As for problems relating to waste management, there are still issues relating to the organization of garbage and overflowing dump sites.
The ISOC commended the army’s efforts to clean up Pattaya, particularly its eviction of speedboats from Bali Hai Pier.
The ISOC requested that all regions start working on integrated plans involving governors, soldiers, police and others involved.
The command’s finding will be presented to the government for further review.
