Program Management Unit on Area Based Development (PMUA) selected Thammasat University to be a prototype for ‘smart’ community in Pathumthani province by accelerating research on “smart city integration” plan to promote sustainable development for the university using the Center of Academic Excellence in Research and Innovation for City Transport as the regulatory authority to drive all projects.
Associate Professor Dr Pawinee Iamtrakul, Faculty of Architecture and Planning, Thammasat University, states that the project is funded by the Program Management Unit on Area Based Development (PMUA) and the Office of National Higher Education Science Research and Innovation Policy Council (NXPO) under the platform “research and innovation to promote spatial development and reduce inequality” and program “innovation for the foundational economy and innovation for the community and university”.
Before the devastating coronavirus pandemic, during the 2019 ASEAN Summit, Thailand introduced the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) initiative to transform three Thai provinces into smart cities – which has turned out to be a success.
With the aim to create a centre for trade, investment, regional transportation, and a strategic gateway to Asia - Thailand is confident that it would promote a seamless ASEAN.
The COVID-19 pandemic has provided a timely demonstration of the extent to which digital technology could become fully entrenched in a city, as a means to support public health precautions and maintain effective infection control.
Sensor connectivity and the Internet of Things (IoT) have been used to facilitate the screening for and tracking of infections while also enabling the delivery of contactless services in the new normal of people’s daily lives.
Thailand's high-tech Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), established in May 2018, is the cornerstone for the country’s Industry 4.0 vision to become a fully developed nation by 2035.
The 13,000sqkm EEC stretches south and east of Bangkok and covers three provinces with a total population of three million. It aims to be the gateway to Southeast Asia (SEA) and a global digital innovation hub.
Read more: Thailand’s EEC on track with digital innovation hub goal
As Thailand marches towards its goal of sustainable development under the Thailand 4.0 model, the smart-city concept is front and centre in the country’s action plan.
By leveraging cutting-edge ICT technology and new generation platforms – including cloud-base products which enable on-demand computing mobile, AI, and big data analytics -- Thailand’s smart-city plan centres on providing innovative services to citizens, businesses and tourists in the form of social, business and environmental solutions.
Read more: Smart-City Living marks another Milestone for Thailand 4.0