Asia-Pacific

Thailand to construct science city

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-01-21 14:38

BANGKOK: Thailand's government plans to construct the country's first ever science city, Minister of Science and Technology Dr. Kanlaya Sophonphanit disclosed on Thursday.

The ministry and the private sector will jointly develop the science city's project, which will cost approximately 5.0 billion baht ($151.7 million), Thai News Agency quoted Dr. Kanlaya as saying.

The planned science city, which will be located at Amata Nakorn Industrial Estate in an eastern province of Chonburi, will be constructed with an international standard, she said.

The science city will be the country's center of science and technology education as it will also support the national-level research and development on science and technology, she said.

The ministry is going to appoint an advisor, who will help make a draft proposal on state policies and suitable industries in relation to the science city's capacity and potential, she said.

The draft proposal is expected to complete by May this year, the Thai minister of science and technology said.

After that the construction of infrastructure and facilities of the science city will start, Dr. Kanlaya said.

The construction progress will be reported to the cabinet every three months, the minister of science and technology said.