IMPACTS OF THE EASTERN ECONOMIC CORRIDOR ON COMMUNITY ENTERPRISES IN RAYONG PROVINCE: ECONOMIC, SOCIAL, AND ENVIRONMENTAL DIMENSIONS

Abstract

This study aimed to 1) survey the general profile of community enterprises in Rayong Province, and 2) analyze the economic, social, and environmental impacts of the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) on community enterprises in Rayong Province. The sample comprised 100 community enterprises in Rayong Province, with the sample size calculated at a 90 percent confidence level. A questionnaire was used as the data collection instrument. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, namely percentage, mean, and standard deviation, and inferential statistics through One-way Analysis of Variance (One-way ANOVA). The findings revealed that the overall impact was at a high level (x̄ = 3.83). The environmental dimension showed the highest mean impact (x̄ = 4.03), followed by the social dimension (x̄ = 3.99), while the economic dimension recorded the lowest mean (x̄ = 3.48), respectively. The hypothesis testing indicated that the number of members produced statistically significant differences in the levels of economic and social impacts; The receipt of support produced significant differences in the level of social impact, and the duration of operation produced significant differences in the level of environmental impact. The results reflect that although the EEC has generated enormous economic value overall, the benefits have not been distributed thoroughly to community enterprises, while communities instead bear a disproportionately higher share of social and environmental costs. Consequently, the development lacks balance among the three dimensions in accordance with the principles of sustainable development.

Keywords: Eastern Economic Corridor, Community Enterprise, Impact, Sustainable Development, Rayong