The Development of Smart Cities in Smart Governance: A Comparative Case Study of Shanghai, China, and Phuket and Khon Kaen Provinces, Thailand

Abstract

This article aims to: 1) compare the smart city development models in smart governance between Shanghai, China, and Phuket and Khon Kaen, Thailand, and 2) extract lessons from Shanghai case study to propose guidelines for designing a smart city development plan in smart governance plan that aligns with Thailand’s context. The research methodology involved documentary research, government statistics, and interviews with officials from the Digital Economy Promotion Agency. The findings revealed that Shanghai’s success in smart city development stems from clear policies and goals, strong digital infrastructure investments such as cloud computing, big data, Internet of Things, and blockchain, and an integrated governance system involving government, private sector, and citizens. In contrast, Thailand has incorporated smart city initiatives into its 20-Year National Strategy (2018–2037) and has begun pilot projects in multiple provinces, including Phuket and Khon Kaen. However, progress remains in the early stages, with challenges in data interoperability and integrated management.

A comparative analysis shows that Thailand has significant potential for smart city development, particularly in data-driven decision-making and multi-stakeholder collaboration. The researchers propose guidelines for Thailand’s smart governance development, including: investing in digital infrastructure, developing a centralized e-government service platform, enhancing integrated data management, and upskilling local digital workforce. These strategies aim to ensure sustainable and efficient smart city development, tailored to Thailand’s regional contexts.