Thais urged to adapt to ‘New Normal’ in Smart Cities

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Deputy Prime Minister, Gen Prawit Wongsuwan.
Deputy Prime Minister, Gen Prawit Wongsuwan.

BANGKOK – Deputy Prime Minsiter Gen Prawit has urged Smart City projects to support New Normal lifestyles after the COVID-19 pandemic, promoting equality, inclusivity, health, safety, and sustainability.




Deputy Prime Minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwan has chaired the first National Smart City Steering Committee this year at Government House, where he acknowledged the appointment of committee members, and development progress in 2018-2019.

The committee has acknowledged candidates for three model Smart City development projects, and one Smart Urban City development project, namely Phaholyothin Transportation Center in Bangkok, the Eastern Economic Corridor in Chonburi, Amata Nakorn Industrial Estate in Chonburi, and Phuket City.



The committee has approved the appointment of the Minister of a Digital Economy and Society as the chair of the Project Management Committee, and the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society’s Permanent Secretary as the national representative of the ASEAN Smart City Network’s meeting this year in Hanoi, Vietnam.

Gen Prawit urged the committee to urgently push forward smart city developments to promote development, yield benefits to the general public, promote equality and improve quality of life. The development must facilitate New Normal lifestyles emerging from COVID-19 pandemic, in line with the Thailand 4.0 model and the 20-year national strategy.

He also urged the Ministry of a Digital Economy and Society and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to pursue ASEAN-related projects planned for this year, expecting concrete outcomes. (NNT)