Khon Kaen presses on with plans to become a leading ‘Smart City’

The northeastern province of Khon Kaen is closer to realising its ambitions of becoming a “Smart City” after a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed to develop a narrowband internet of things (IoT) radio network for use in developing smart living technologies throughout the region.

Kittichai Trairattanasirichai, a former rector of Khon Kaen University, said the university recently signed the MoU with Khon Kaen’s local administrative bodies to implement the narrowband IoT capacity, which will be harnessed initially in three new projects.

“The projects are Smart Rubbish, Smart Parking and Smart Kiosk,” he said.

“These initiatives are about introducing IoT technology as a means of improving the quality of life for the Khon Kaen people by bringing about convenience with the help of internet technology,” according to the rector.

Under the MoU, the university’s information technology infrastructure will be upgraded into a narrowband IoT network that can be used by hospitals, transport, electricity supply, water supply and waste management systems in the area, he said. It was not clear how much the projects would cost or when they will come into effect.

Khon Kaen governor Somsak Jangtrakul said the province is dedicated to achieving Smart City status as soon as possible.

In another development in the province, bidding for a contract to construct a 26 billion baht 22.8km electric tram system is expected in June and the construction will take a further two years, said Suradech Taweesaeng-sakulthai, CEO of Cho Thavee Plc and a co-founder of the Khon Kaen City Development (KKTT) Co.

KKTT was established by about 20 local companies to implement the Smart City scheme.

Khon Kaen Transit System Co (KKTS), the operator of the tram project, now plans to raise funds for this project through the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET), said Mr Suradech.