Focus on Secondary Cities in Thailand for Balanced Urban Development

June 27, 2024

As Bangkok continues to grow, the pressure on its infrastructure and resources increases. This emphasizes the need for a more balanced urban development strategy across Thailand. In this blog I advocate for nurturing secondary cities as a sustainable solution to not only relieve the pressures on Bangkok but also to boost the economic and social development of these emerging urban centers.

The Strategic Shift to Secondary Cities

Bangkok's explosive growth has increased significant challenges, including traffic congestion, pollution, and climate change issues. Diversifying the country's urban development focus can distribute economic activities more evenly and promote regional growth. Secondary cities, with their unique strengths and opportunities, can become catalysts for nationwide development, reducing the dependency on Bangkok.

Identifying Strengths and Opportunities in Secondary Cities

Each city has unique features that can be harnessed for specialized growth. Not every city has to be good at everything. Here are a few examples of secondary cities in Thailand and potential focus areas for development:

  1. Chiang Mai: Creative and Cultural Hub: Known for its rich history and vibrant culture, Chiang Mai can enhance its position as a cultural and creative industries center. Investing in arts, crafts, and digital nomad facilities could further establish it as a Southeast Asian cultural capital.
  2. Khon Kaen: Logistics, Education and Healthcare Center: With a strong base of educational institutions and medical facilities, Khon Kaen is well-positioned to become a regional hub for education and healthcare. Enhancing these sectors could attract students and medical tourists from across the region. Khon Kaen has a strong logistic sector that could be one of the pillars for further development.
  3. Pattaya: Marine and Ecotourism: Already famous for its tourism, Pattaya could shift its focus towards sustainable marine and ecotourism. Developing responsible tourism practices and conservation projects could redefine Pattaya as a model for sustainable coastal city tourism.
  4. Nakhon Ratchasima (Korat): Agriculture and Trade: Situated in a region known for agriculture, Korat could capitalize on agro-industry and trade. Developing agro-processing industries and logistics hubs can turn it into a key player in Thailand’s food production and distribution network.
  5. Songkhla: Renewable Energy and Fisheries: With its coastal location, Songkhla has the potential to lead in (innovative) fisheries and renewable energy sectors, particularly wind and solar power. Supporting these industries can help propel Songkhla into a leading role in green energy within Southeast Asia.

The Role of City Marketing

Promoting a city based on its strengths—known as city marketing—can significantly improve its attractiveness and competitiveness. By branding themselves around specific themes or industries, secondary cities can attract investments, tourism, and talent that resonate with their unique character and economic opportunities. This strategy helps each city to stand out and achieve sustainable growth, rather than competing directly with Bangkok.

A Vision for Thailand's Urban Future

By developing strategic cohesive visions and specific growth models for secondary cities, Thailand can achieve a more balanced urban development. UrbanSphere Solutions is committed to promoting strategies that leverage the unique strengths of each city, ensuring they will become more livable, sustainable, and economically vibrant centers on their own. This approach not only supports the growth of secondary cities but also relieves the pressures on Bangkok, leading to a more resilient and diversified urban landscape across Thailand.

This balanced growth strategy could help for Thailand's long-term sustainability and prosperity, ensuring that development benefits are widely shared across the country.

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