Thailand's Smart City Projects: Progress and Challenges Across Regions

Smart city projects are actively progressing across Thailand, extending beyond Bangkok to various regions. While national frameworks and initiatives are in place, the actual implementation and official recognition of these projects vary significantly by location. Thailand's smart city program operates under a national framework, but individual cities and regions prioritize different dimensions of the framework – governance, mobility, energy, economy, living, people, and environment – based on their unique challenges and plans. Projects may focus on all seven dimensions or a select few. It is important to distinguish between cities or areas formally certified as smart cities through the Digital Economy Promotion Agency (DEPA) and those that are promotion zones, pilot projects, or simply engaged in broader digital development. An announcement of a project does not automatically confirm that an entire city has achieved smart city certification. Recent reports indicate that DEPA has certified 37 smart cities, but designations and project records are constantly updated. Consulting the live Smart City Data Platform is recommended for the most current status. Regional highlights include Bangkok and the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), where plans address both daily urban needs and economic development. Within the EEC, provinces like Chonburi, Rayong, and Chachoengsao have projects with varying certification statuses. In central Bangkok, Chulalongkorn University's Samyan Smart City was recognized as a livable city promotion zone in 2020. In Rayong, the "Smart & Livable City" initiative, approved in 2022, aims to integrate urban services with industrial development. Wangchan Valley is another smart city promotion zone developed as a research and innovation hub. In the northern and northeastern regions, Chiang Mai and Khon Kaen are leading examples. Chiang Mai has served as an urban testbed for innovations and explored smart hospital technology and elderly care. Chiang Rai, Nan, and Phitsanulok are part of the government's second-phase expansion, focusing on practical services like environmental monitoring and waste recovery. Khon Kaen aims to create a livable metropolis and support the regional economy through initiatives in mobility, environmental monitoring, and digitized food supply chains. Nakhon Ratchasima (Korat) is advancing AI-supported planning under the "Korat Model." Across these diverse locations, projects are tailored to local needs, aiming to improve public services, enhance mobility, manage the environment, and stimulate local economies.