BANGKOK (ANN/THE NATION) -– Thailand’s government has announced it will establish up to 105 smart cities in large municipal areas by 2027, Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai said on Wednesday.
The minister unveiled the plan during his speech to open the Thailand Smart City Expo 2023, held at Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre until Friday.
The smart city plan is a national agenda and part of the 13th national economic and social development plan, said Phumtham, speaking in his capacity as deputy prime minister in charge of the economy.
Smart cities will utilise Big Data solutions to improve public life and tackle people’s everyday issues, he added.
So far, 36 municipalities in 25 provinces have been certified as smart cities.
The Digital Economy Promotion Agency (Depa) is working with the Board of Investment on luring investment to speed up smart-city development, said Digital Economy and Society Minister Prasert Chanthararuangthong.
Promotion measures to lure business investment in smart cities include a 50 per cent cut in corporate tax for three years. Also, the cost of goods or services businesses procure via smart-city digital platforms will be 100 per cent tax-deductible.
The expo is showcasing smart-city technologies in seven fields – telecoms, energy, living, industry and retail, mobility, environment, and healthcare.
The expo is billed as ASEAN’s trade show on smart city technologies and solutions.
