Central Thailand / Economy

Planting rice

With fertile land and well developed irrigation systems, the central region has a strong base as an agricultural raw material supply source. Major crops produced in the region include rice, maize, sugarcane, and vegetables and fruits. Livestock including poultry, pigs, and beef and dairy cattle is widely raised for domestic as well as export markets. In addition, the region is rich with a number of minerals such as iron, phosphate, limestone, lead, and gems.

The proximity to Bangkok has led to the growth of a number of industries looking to take advantage of the facilities located in and around Bangkok without suffering from the congestion and high land prices in and immediately around the capital city. A number of major industries have located in Ayutthaya, Lopburi and Saraburi. These industries include factories for synthetic fiber, cement, paper and pulp, electronics, and chemical products.