The emerging development of Thailand has important implications for employment promotion and poverty alleviation as well as for industrialization and regional growth Emerging Characteristics The BMR is the largest metropolitan centre in Thailand covering Bangkok Metropolis and the five provinces of Nonthaburi, Samut Prakarn, Makhon Pathom, Pathum Thani, and Samut Sakhon. The region comprised an area of 7,639 kilometers square or 1.5 percent of the total area of Thailand. An area of 1,569 square kilometers is within the BMA. The growth of the region began with the establishment of the capital city of Bangkok. This was the main center of all economic activities and extended outward to encompass those five provinces in its vicinity. Over the past two decades the BMR has been considered the engine for much of Thailand's growth. Half of all national production during these decades took place in the BMR, which is therefore the most vital and active source of socioeconomic interaction in Thailand.