Professor Dr Kriengsak Chareonwongsak, President of the Institute for Nation-Building and a senior scholar affiliated with Harvard University, presented the vision during a seminar held at the Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation (PPAO) offices on Thursday (June 4).
The event, titled ’Phuket Special Economic Zone (PVN-SEZ) or Pilicon Valley for Nation-Building’, was organised by the Institute for Nation-Building to promote discussion on transforming Phuket into a future special economic zone capable of driving sustainable economic growth.
PPAO President Rewat Areerob attended the seminar alongside Phuket Provincial Public Relations Officer Wimol Nukaeo, representatives from government agencies, business organisations, educational institutions and local residents.
Dr Kriengsak, affectionately called ’Dr Dan’ by the Thai media, outlined a concept he described as ’Pilicon Valley for Nation-Building’, a development model aimed at positioning Phuket as a centre for innovation, technology, investment and talent development in Southeast Asia.
He said the proposal would build on Phuket’s existing strengths, including its internationally recognised tourism industry, developed infrastructure and global transport connections.
According to Dr Kriengsak, the creation of a special economic zone would help increase Phuket’s competitiveness, attract high-quality investment and generate new economic opportunities while improving residents’ quality of life.
“Developing Phuket into a ‘Pilicon Valley’ is not only about creating a new economic centre, but also about laying the foundations for an innovation-driven economy, attracting international investment and quality personnel, and creating sustainable economic opportunities,” he said.
He added that the long-term goal was for Phuket to become both a national and international centre for economic innovation, helping drive Thailand’s future economic development.
Dr Kriengsak is one of Thailand’s best-known public policy commentators and academics. He holds bachelor’s and doctoral degrees in economics from Monash University in Australia, a Master of Public Administration degree from Harvard Kennedy School, a master’s degree from Cambridge Judge Business School at the University of Cambridge, and completed postdoctoral studies at the University of Oxford.
Speaking at the seminar, Supat Pongpreecha, a participant in the fifth Advanced Management for Nation-Building programme, said the initiative seeks to create a model for economic development that balances growth with the preservation of Thai cultural identity.
“The objective is to raise Phuket’s potential as an important mechanism for national development while maintaining cultural values for future generations,” he said.
Organisers described the PVN-SEZ concept as a strategy for creating sustainable economic growth and enhancing Phuket’s role as a key contributor to Thailand’s long-term economic future.
The proposal comes as Phuket continues to explore ways to diversify its economy beyond tourism and strengthen its position as one of Thailand’s leading international destinations for investment and innovation.
However, the proposal also comes amid continuing debate over Phuket’s future governance and economic development model.
Earlier this year, the Bhumjaithai Party pledged to pursue Special Economic Zone status for Phuket as part of its platform in campaigning for the Feb 8 national election, arguing that the island should be allowed to retain a greater share of locally generated revenue to address infrastructure, environmental and public service challenges.
Yet, despite the high-profile promise, no draft legislation, policy framework or implementation timeline has yet been made public, prompting criticism from opposition MPs who have questioned whether the proposal will advance beyond campaign rhetoric.
Debate has also emerged over whether Phuket’s long-term challenges would be better addressed through Special Economic Zone status or broader decentralisation reforms that would grant local authorities greater administrative and budgetary powers.
Dr Kriengsak’s ‘Pilicon Valley’ vision adds a new dimension to the discussion, focusing on Phuket’s potential to become a regional centre for innovation, technology, investment and human capital development while serving as a model for future economic growth in Thailand.