BANGKOK, June 28 (Reuters) - Thailand approved on Tuesday a five-year investment of about 338 billion baht ($9.64 billion) in its industrial east from 2023, a government official said, part of efforts to boost the country's long-term growth. The Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) investments will cover 77 projects, mainly in infrastructure and utilities and create about 20,000 jobs, government spokesperson Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana said after a cabinet meeting The government will invest in 61 projects worth 178.6 billion baht ($5.09 billion), with the remainder in public-private partnership projects, Thanakorn said in a statement. The EEC, which covers three provinces east of the capital Bangkok, is a centerpiece of government efforts to boost growth and encourage investment, particularly in high-tech industries. ($1 = 35.0900 baht) (Reporting by Panarat Thepgumpanat Writing by Orathai Sriring; Editing by Martin Petty) ((orathai.sriring@tr.com;)) The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.