THE PETROCHEMICAL PROJECT AND THE EASTERN SEABOARD DEVELOPMENT*

SIRI JIRAPONGPHAN, PAILIN CHUCHOTTAWORN and SUPATTANAPONG PUNMEECHAOW

ABSTRACT: The production of natural gas from the Gulf of Thailand has ushered in a new era of energy self sufficiency for Thailand. Further developments in utilizing natural gas as feedstock for petrochemical production is leading Thailand into a new era of industrialization. The implementation of basic industries in producing oIefins and fertilizer is changing the structure of the chemical industry in Thailand from small conversion plants dependent on imported intermediates to an integrated, full-cycle industry using basic feedstocks to final finished product. This new basic industry will create opportunities for basic and applied research and development work for Thai's scientific and technical community in areas involving catalyst development, chemical synthesis and improved energy and production efficiency.

On the social and environmental aspects, the aggregation of this new industrial development as an integrated Eastern Seaboard Development Program is an allempt to address the consequences that resulted from this new industrial development. Follow up and analysis of the changes of the surroundings during the implementation of this program would provide an excellent opportunity in understanding the effect of industrialization and the effectiveness of various social and environmental programs.

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National Petrochemical Corporation Limited, 10^th Floor, Petroleum Authority of Thailand Building, 14 Soi Yasoob 1, Vibhavadi-Rangsit Road, Bangkok 10900, Thailand

Received 31 October 1985