The Thai government has inaugurated five areas along the border lines as special economic zones.

Rangsan Srivorasart, Permanent Secretary of the Minister of Finance,has disclosed that Prime Minister Gen. Prayut Chan-ocha endorsed theinauguration of six special economic zones on the border areas.

Thecommittee on the development of special economic zone has announced thelocations of the six new special economic zones, which include: -Takspecial economic zone, which comprises 14 sub-districts in threedistricts of Phob Phra, Mae Sot and Mae Ramard; - Mukdaharn specialeconomic zone, which covers 12 sub- districts in three districts ofMuang, Wan Yai and Dontal of the upper part of Mukadarn; -Sakeo specialeconomic zone, which covers four sub-districts in two districts of thelower northeastern province of Sakeo; -Songkhla special economic zone,which is located in four districts in the district of Sadao in thesouthern province of Sonkhla, and - Trat special economic zone, which islocated in three sub- districts of Khlong Yai district in the easternprovince of Trat.

The government is determined to improve thesituation in terms of economic and security in those areas by boostingeconomic growth, generating employment, improving residents' standard ofliving, and stopping trafficking of illegal migrant workers as well aseradicating illegal drug smuggling, the Permanent Secretary said.-VNA