Expansion of aquaculture in Central Thailand since the 1970s is intimately
linked to growth in other sectors of the local and national economy, and to
participation in global trade. Thailand’s agro-industrialization has led to the
diversification of agriculture in the Central Region and the co-development of
aquaculture. Production of domestic aqua-products is largely positive for
consumers, farmers and the environment. By contrast, intensive production of
shrimp for export has been characterized by periods of boom and bust resulting
from disease outbreaks and international competition. At the farm level this
has translated into surges of profit followed by overcapitalization, debt and
environmental degradation.