Academic fears concession will lead to land grab in Eastern Economic Corridor
An academic has warned that foreign investors will receive too many privileges under the Eastern Economic Corridor Bill, which could lead to serious land problems in the Eastern region. Decharut Sukkumnoed, the lecturer at Faculty of Economics Kasetsart University, said there were alarming issues regarding the EEC Bill that would exempt foreigners from many leasing conditions and give too many privileges to foreign investors that would not benefit the country. “It is true that Thai law has allowed land leases for foreigners for 99 years since 1999, as the National Council for Peace and Order has always explained. The law allows foreign investors to lease land for 50 years and they can extend for another 49 years,” Decharut said.
