Much progress has been made on the Si Chang Island Development Project at the Initiative of His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua. Si Chang, or Ko Si Chang, is a small island in the eastern province of Chon Buri.

Air Chief Marshal Satitpong Sukvimol, His Majesty’s Principal Private Secretary, on 17 December 2025 visited Si Chang Island to follow up on progress of the Si Chang Island Development Project. Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Suchart Chomklin, Minister of Energy Auttapol Rerkpiboon, Deputy Minister of Interior Sakda Vicheansil, and Chon Buri Governor Naris Niramaiwong also joined a meeting on the presentation of progress of this project.

The Si Chang Island Development Project aims to develop the island using a sustainable model, prioritizing the people’s better quality of life and self-reliance alongside natural resource and environmental conservation and the creation of a green community. The project has been carried out under a master plan covering five major areas: water resources, energy, environment, tourism, and quality of life.

The meeting was provided with a report stating that the Ko Si Chang Subdistrict Municipality has continued to distribute water from natural ponds to the local people who have not yet installed water works meters. Major water sources still have sufficient water for use at a certain level, although the island has been affected by a dry spell and hot weather.

More areas have been expanded for storing water and developing tourist sites, while a comprehensive wastewater treatment system has been constructed in the area to be developed as a community learning center and a place for recycling wastewater. With technology support from the private sector, the island has been able to carry out garbage management in a systematic manner in order to effectively tackle the problem of more than 3,000 tons of accumulated waste,

Electricity generation from solar energy, together with a microgrid, has been developed and is expected to begin power distribution in December 2027. Another project involves the installation of a submarine cable system to strengthen local energy security. 

The meeting also heard a report that, from 1 January to 14 December 2025, about 379,000 Thai and international tourists visited Si Chang, generating a sizable income for the island. The Ao Atsadang area has also been developed as a tourist attraction.

Regarding social and environmental development, the Ko Si Chang Subdistrict Municipality has completed the construction of a dog and cat shelter, which will be opened by 2026. The shelter will be able to accommodate up to 150 dogs and cats.