Abstract
This paper reports on research conducted in Nakhon Phanom Province in Northeastern Thailand among business-owners and other individuals about prospective and actual changes in economic and social conditions resulting from the opening of the Third Mekong Friendship Bridge and the ASEAN Economic Community, due to be launched in 2015. Qualitative research conducted with 35 key informants revealed that there had been few changes cause so far and little intention to change any more than necessary. Most respondents were waiting for the state to take a lead in information provision and in facilitating the ability to make changes. It is found that the Bridge has had some impact upon land prices and the labor market but that these changes remain limited because of the comparatively low level of usage of the Bridge.
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Copyright (c) 2012 Pornsakol Na Srito, John Walsh (Author)
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