The Cabinet on Tuesday gave nod to four mega-projects related to the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) at its meeting in the northern province of Chiang Rai.

The four project, namely the aviation maintenance centre at U-tapao airport, the Utapao airport and eastern aviation hub development project, the third phase of Laem Chabang deep-sea port development project and the third phase of Map Ta Pud industrial seaport plus the high-speed train project to link U-tapao airport with Suvarnabhumi and Don Meuang airports, will require a total investment of 650 billion baht. About 200 billion baht of it will come from the government and the rest from the private sector, said advisor to Minister of PM’s Office Mr Natthaporn Jatusripitak after the Cabinet meeting.

He said the private sector to co-invest in the projects will be known in February.

The projects are expected to bring 820 billion baht in economic returns and 560 billion baht in financial returns.  About 40,000 jobs will be created each year.

Natthapong said since the projects have taken shape with contracts expected to be signed next February, any government in the future would have to implement them.