Page 21 - OST April 2020

19 19 อนุสาร อ.ส.ท. เมษายน ๒๕๖๓
Surasak Tantayothin Story Nophadol Kunbua Photographs
Probably, it can be said that Rayong today has completely become an industrial city, particularly, in petrochemicals. It is also undeniable that the industry has brought a tremendous amount of revenue and increased economic value to Thailand overall.
The truth is in the reality we cannot step back in time. The data from the Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council states that Rayong’s gross domestic product (GDP) has reached one trillion Baht and more than 80 percent of the income comes from the industrial sector. This makes the province become the country’s highest gross provincial product (GPP) per capita. However, it does not mean that the per capita income and the happiness index of the people of Rayong are the highest as well.
Rayong used to be named as a tourism and fruit city together with Chanthaburi. At present, it is still a tourism city, but has begun to fade away as a fruit city. The province features a 100-km. long route along the coastline separated by the large coastal industrial estates in Map Ta Phut and the provincial district starting from Hat Phala, Hat Phayun, Hat Nam Rin in Amphoe Ban Chang past the Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate to Hat Saeng Chan, Hat Mae Ramphueng, Ban Kon Ao, Laem Son, Laem Mae Phim and ending at the Prasae Estuary.
This is one of the highlighted routes along the coast, which combines the local fishery way of life and the beauty of nature apart from Ko Samet. Although the industry growth has deteriorated the original lifestyle, it cannot diminish the breath of the existing nature.
Currently, although the number of industrial factories growth outperforms that of accommodation and tourism services, it does not imply that the name of the coastal tourist city of Rayong will disappear. From Hat Phala to Laem Mae Phim, a more than 100-km. route, this will prove that today Rayong has still retained the breath of nature.