November 9, 2022, Bangkok - General Prawit presided over the first meeting of the Smart City Development Committee for the year 2022 to acknowledge the results in furthering Thailand's Smart City development. Considerations were made to award Thailand Smart City badge to 15 additional cities from the previous year. As a result, Thailand will have 30 areas certified as smart cities in 23 provinces. It is expected that there will be investment opportunities for the development of livable smart cities from private enterprises with a total value of more than 20 billion baht. Preparations have been prompted to nominate Chiang Mai, Khon Kaen, and Rayong as members of the ASEAN Smart City network.
General Prawit Wongsuwan, Deputy Prime Minister Chaired the Smart City Development Steering Committee meeting No. 1/2022, with Mr. Newin Chochaiyatip, Assistant Minister of Digital Economy and Society Asst. Prof. Dr. Nuttapon Nimmanphatcharin, President and CEO, Digital Economy Promotion Agency or depa, and representatives from the Smart City Thailand Office, including related organizations consisting of; the Office of the Permanent Secretary for the Interior, Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning, Energy Policy and Planning Office, the Ministry of Energy, The Board of Investment of Thailand (BOI), Bureau of the Budget, Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council, Eastern Economic Corridor Office of Thailand (EEC), etc., attended the meeting at the Five Provinces Bordering Forest Foundation and through an online system.
The meeting acknowledged the performance of the Smart City Project Management and Steering Sub-committee chaired by Mr. Chaiwut Thanakamanusorn, the Minister of Digital, in particular the issue of awarding badges to certify additional Smart Cities in 15 areas in 14 provinces, consisting of: 1) Rayong City, a smart and livable city, Rayong Province 2) Khan Song-Model, desirable city of happiness and sharing society, Chonburi Province 3) Smart City Phitsanulok, Phitsanulok Province 4) Phitsanulok Sustainable Smart City Project, Phitsanulok Province 5) Chiang Rai City to Smart City, Chiang Rai Province 6) Nan City to Smart City, Nan Province 7) Korat Smart City, Nakhon Ratchasima Province 8) Smart City Ubon Ratchathani, Ubon Ratchathani Province 9) Krabi Smart City, Krabi Province 10) Phang Nga Province to Smart City, Phang Nga Province 11) Satun Smart City, Satun Province 12) Develop Koh Samui Municipality towards a sustainable Smart City, Surat Thani Province 13) A green Smart Hat Yai City, Songkhla Province 14) Pattani Smart City, Pattani Province 15) Narathiwat Creative Environment City, Narathiwat Province
As a result, Thailand will have a total of 30 areas certified as smart cities across 23 provinces, contributing to the improvement of the quality of life of more than 20 million people. These areas will receive investment promotions for smart city development businesses, and the development of smart city infrastructure from the BOI. The 15 smart cities in Thailand approved by the meeting will provide investment opportunities for livable smart city development from private enterprises with a total value of over 20 billion baht.
The meeting also considered the proposal of additional cities to join the ASEAN Smart Cities Network (ASCN), consisting of Chiang Mai, Khon Kaen, and Rayong with already participating cities, Bangkok, Chonburi, and Phuket. All of these 6 cities are the government's Smart City Development goals. ASEAN has set criteria for membership, which consists within the dimensions of usability readiness according to the Smart City Vision. Demonstrating a shared commitment to Smart City Development through participation within the network. Clear linkage of Smart City projects. Availability of Smart City data platforms or solutions, and the preparation of personnel who have the skills and potential to participate in working within the network.
The meeting also acknowledged the results of activities to continue regional cooperation through the ASEAN Smart Cities Network (ASCN), the results of activities supporting the development of smart cities in 2022 through human resource development activities in the field of Smart City Development, such as the Digital City Ambassadors Program, 2nd Generation which is a new digital manpower development project Along with upgrading digital skills for local officials. Activities to promote and raise awareness such as organizing The Smart City Solution Awards 2022 to reward those who apply digital technology to serve the public sector. And the Smart City Expo 2022 exhibition that will be held at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center Between November 30 – December 2, 2022.
“Thailand is entering the digital age through the development of smart cities. This is considered to drive Thailand 4.0 according to the direction of the 20-year national strategic plan, by meeting today to acknowledge the results of driving smart city development in the past. Whether it is the announcement of the Thailand Smart City badge for the year 2022, smart city manpower development activities. Building a Mechanism to Promote Smart Cities in a concrete way, including considering adding cities to become members of the ASEAN Smart Cities Network. All sectors must integrate to work towards driving the country's smart cities because it is a national agenda, and will lead to the well-being of the people according to the 13th National Economic and Social Development Plan. Especially the 8th designation, Thailand having areas and smart cities that are livable, safe, and sustainable,” said the Deputy Prime Minister.
