{"id":8898,"date":"2020-08-04T15:28:00","date_gmt":"2020-08-04T08:28:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.asiapropertyawards.com\/?p=8898"},"modified":"2021-06-04T15:06:21","modified_gmt":"2021-06-04T08:06:21","slug":"thailand-sets-smart-cities-in-motion-in-the-asean-region","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.asiapropertyawards.com\/en\/thailand-sets-smart-cities-in-motion-in-the-asean-region\/","title":{"rendered":"Thailand sets smart cities in motion in the ASEAN region"},"content":{"rendered":"

By 2022, Thailand wants to have built 100 smart cities across the nation<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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A bird’s eye view of the traffic in Chong Nonsi, Bangkok, Thailand. AnuchaSirivisansuwan\/Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Months before the COVID-19 pandemic devastated countries across the globe, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations gathered\u00a0<\/span>for the 2019 summit to\u00a0<\/span>discuss\u00a0<\/span>how they could\u00a0<\/span>improve their partnership to achieve sustainable security and development<\/span>, particularly\u00a0<\/span>in terms of<\/span>\u00a0harness<\/span>ing<\/span>\u00a0and regulat<\/span>ing<\/span>\u00a0technology, as well as boost<\/span>ing<\/span>\u00a0connectivity and cooperation<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

D<\/span>uring this<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>conclave<\/span>,\u00a0<\/span>Tha<\/span>iland\u00a0<\/span>presented the\u00a0<\/span>Eastern Economic Corridor<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>(EEC)<\/span>\u00a0initiative<\/span><\/a>\u00a0under the\u00a0<\/span>Thailand 4.0 economic blueprint<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>to\u00a0<\/span>convert\u00a0<\/span>three provinces into smart cities<\/span>, which has been a successful endeavo<\/span>u<\/span>r thus far.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>This initiative aims to develop <\/span>a hub for regional transportation, investment, trade and a strategic gateway to Asia<\/span>\u00a0\u2013 and\u00a0<\/span>the\u00a0<\/span>kingdom\u00a0<\/span>is confident that their scheme would encourage a\u00a0<\/span>harmonious relationship between <\/span>ASEAN<\/span>\u00a0nations<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

By 2022, Thailand wants to\u00a0<\/span>have developed 100 smart cities across the nation and to achieve this, they <\/span>formed an alliance<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>with\u00a0<\/span>the Digital Economy Promotion Agency (depa), a\u00a0Thai government agency, and the global network of <\/span>City Possible, a\u00a0<\/span>Mastercard-pioneered\u00a0<\/span>model for urban innovation<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The City Possible program, which is devised to <\/span>\u201cmake technology work for people\u201d by coordinating with key stakeholders to address urban\u00a0<\/span>problems<\/span>,<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>has already inducted 27 Thai smart cities<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0It\u00a0<\/span>enables members to have un<\/span>paralleled\u00a0<\/span>access to a global community of academics, NGOs, businesses and urban leaders<\/span>, as well as exclusive invites to an array of knowledge-exchange seminars where participants<\/span>\u00a0can discuss common challenges, share each of their learnings<\/span>\u00a0and develop holistic urban solutions.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCities around the world face similar challenges but they are too often solving in isolation. City Possible connects cities with insights and resources from cities around the world which accelerates progress and enables smart governance,\u201d said Miguel Gami\u00f1o Jr, executive vice president of Global Cities at Mastercard.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

More: Embracing 5G in Thailand and China: What can property businesses and private consumers expect in 2020?<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Last 7th of July, depa updated that\u00a0<\/span>the provinces of Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Khon Kaen, Chon Buri, Rayong, Phuket and Chachoengsao have already\u00a0<\/span>started the\u00a0<\/span>smart city transformation process<\/span><\/a>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Chaired by\u00a0Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon, the\u00a0National Steering Committee on Smart City Development has\u00a0<\/span>opened application for <\/span>cities<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>that want to be involved<\/span>. Those interested can submit their p<\/span>roposition\u00a0<\/span>for assessment and approval<\/span>. Since the start of the application, 39 cities have already sent their proposals.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

To receive approval for smart city development, depa said that these cities must meet the following criteria:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n