The zone was established on 17 January 2017, at the direction of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), with the mission of promoting economic integration across the Eastern seaboard.

[8] As of 2017[update], the prime minister had invoked the special powers of Section 44 of the interim charter to revoke city plans in three provinces to remove obstacles to EEC development.

In December 2022,[10] the Thai government approved a 1.35 trillion baht ($44 billion) plan to develop the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) into a regional financial hub and a world-class smart city by 2037.

[11] The project will be divided into three phases, with the business and financial hub being constructed by 2025 and developed into one of the world's top 10 smart cities by 2037.

Leased land and property in the EEC business hub and smart city will be transferred back to the government in 50 years.

[24] Seven new S-curve and supporting/emerging industries: Automation and robotics,[25] aviation and logistics,[26] medical and comprehensive healthcare,[27] biofuel and biochemical,[28] digital,[29] defense,[30] and education and human resource development.

The industrial estates are:[41][42] The EEC Livable Smart City, in its ultimate phase, will span over 10,000 hectares (100 square kilometers) and accommodate 2 million inhabitants.

Its design prioritizes livability, sustainability, and smart technologies, with a central 64-hectare park and natural waterways connecting twelve districts.

[46] The private sector partners will also construct a third Passenger Terminal Building, a Cargo Village, and a Free Trade Zone, among other commercial areas.

These facilities will be seamlessly connected to the airport by a Ground Transportation Center, which will include a high-speed train, buses, and taxis.

It is a planned mixed-use development that will be integrated with U-Tapao International Airport, serving as a hub for aviation-related industries, logistics, and tourism.

The Airport City will feature various commercial areas, including hotels, shopping malls, convention centers, and office buildings.

The development is expected to attract both domestic and international investors, creating jobs and spurring economic growth in the region.

On 24 October 2019, a 224.5 billion baht (US$7.4bn) contract was signed by the Thai government and a consortium led by Charoen Pokphand Holding to build the railway.