The Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone (GTSEZ) was established in 2007 under the Agreement on the Development of the ASEAN Comprehensive Economic and Tourism Zone: Golden Triangle between the Lao PDR government, which holds 20% of the shares, and Dok Ngiew Kham Co., Ltd., which holds 80% of the shares. The concession period was set for 75 years, covering an area of 827 hectares, with development and management operating under a general investment framework.

In 2010, the government issued Decree No. 90/PM, dated February 4, 2010, regarding the establishment, operation, and management of the GTSEZ in Tonpheung District, Bokeo Province. Later, the economic and tourism zone was upgraded to an official Special Economic Zone (SEZ) with an extended concession period of 99 years. The total area was expanded to 10,000 hectares, which included: The original 827 hectares of land, An additional 2,173 hectares, and 7,000 hectares of protected forest in Phu Kiew Lom, designated for conservation and eco-tourism purposes. The management of the zone was governed by Decree No. 443/PM, dated October 26, 2010, and was structured into two committees:

1. The Zone Administration Committee, which comprised government officials responsible for security and order within the zone.

2. The Zone Management Council, which included both government representatives and the developer, tasked with attracting investment and overseeing project implementation.

In 2014, the development agreement was revised to reflect the upgraded SEZ status and an increased investment value from $86.6 million to $1 billion. The zone comprised 13 business activities within the original 827-hectare area under the 2007 agreement, where the government maintained a 20% share, and the developer held 80%. Additionally, the 2,173-hectare expansion area was 100% controlled by the developer. The management structure was also adjusted, merging the two committees into a single governing body called the Zone Management Council, which included both government representatives and the developer.

In 2018, the government issued Decree No. 188/GOV, dated June 7, 2018, to standardize SEZ governance nationwide, ensuring more efficient management. Consequently, provinces hosting SEZs established Provincial SEZ Management Committees, composed solely of government officials. In Bokeo Province, a specific Bokeo SEZ Management Committee was created to oversee the GTSEZ according to the 2018 decree and the development agreement.

In 2023, the government elevated the administrative status of the Golden Triangle SEZ to a municipality-level jurisdiction under Decree No. 359/PM, dated November 22, 2023. This decree integrated 20 government agencies into the SEZ's administration to enhance investment facilitation and ensure effective governance.