Abstract:
The purpose of this research is to study important factors supporting Chachoengsao to develop quickly and economic development process as well as the impact from economic development in Chachoengsao by using qualitative research. Based on the research findings, the important factors which encouraged Chachoengsao to develop quickly from level-4 city to be an important economic city in Bang Pakong basin include 3 following factors: 1. geographical and environmental factor 2. ethnical diversity, culture, and wisdom in living and working 3. the policy of the governor of the kingdom and Thai state in each era. These factors allowed Chachoengsao to have its own cost which is Bang Pakong River, the conveyor belt of ecological system which connects the upstream from the east forest to the sea, creating abundant natural resources and biological diversity. The city has cultural root and wisdom, which develops human resource and civilization further. This affects economic development process in terms of agriculture, industry, commerce, and service, making Chachoengsao become a major city in food security regarded as the kitchen of the region, capital city, and the world. Chachoensao is a city with various industrial products and prosperous trading and service. More importantly, Chachoengsao has potential and clear direction of economic developmentin a gradual and natural way. However, from academic perspective, it is a leap development, which has positive effects including economical investment, commercial production, employment, knowledge receipt from other countries, agricultural area expansion, community set up, city expansion, state revenue source, and the development into level-2 city from Bangkok. On the other hand, there are some negative effects such as natural resource being destroyed, environmental problem, alien labor problem, household industry deterioration, influence and conflict of benefits, as well as changes in social condition and lifestyle of Chachoengsao people. However, by the wisdom of the people in this city to apply H.M. King Bhumibol Adulyadejs Philosophy of Sufficiency, which is about grassroots economy, in living their lives in an economically friendly way, as well as having an awareness of environment conservation and sustainable economic development.