Experts demand green vision for Thailand’s smart cities

Smart cities must do more than shine with technology, they need to be green, open, and truly life-enhancing, experts emphasised at the Thailand Smart City Expo 2025 seminar, hosted by the Nation Group’s PostToday and Springnews. The event, held yesterday, November 12, gathered experts, public officials, and private sector leaders to shape Thailand’s future through sustainable urban development.

Chula Sukmanop, Secretary General of the Eastern Economic Corridor Office (EECO), outlined plans to attract international investment into the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) by centring development on bio-circular-green industries.

This eco-friendly strategy, he explained, includes the creation of the EEC Capital City, a new urban hub driven by artificial intelligence (AI) and digital platforms designed to foster an environmentally friendly ecosystem.

Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt underscored the capital’s shift towards smart technology to meet public demand and enhance governance. He spotlighted the AI-powered Traffy Fondue app, which has dramatically improved transparency and the efficiency of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA).

“I think a real smart city means the adoption of appropriate technology which allows people to solve issues equally.”

Open data initiatives allow Bangkok’s residents to track government budgets and policies online, supporting transparency and public engagement.

Digital Economy and Society (DES) Minister Prasert Jantararuangthong assured that the government is fully committed to expanding smart city infrastructure nationwide to boost Thailand’s global competitiveness, improve data security, and elevate living standards.

The City Data Platform project, he revealed, will gather essential data to guide development across 175 cities. With AI at its core, this initiative will address urban challenges in transportation, energy, and city planning.

Collaboration with the Board of Investment is also in the works to draw major tech companies to Thailand, making the country not only more liveable but also a regional hub for sustainable, people-focused smart city innovation, reported The Nation.