Chanwit Rattanarasri, who is the head of the Innovation Infrastructure Department at the National Innovation Agency (NIA), announced an ambitious initiative to embolden investment directed towards infrastructure that will further the evolution of practical technology in Thailand. The Ari district is the focal point of this pioneering project and will serve as a prototype for future undertakings.
The NIA, in its endeavour to bring ingenious solutions to community issues, orchestrated the “ARID [Ari district] Hackathon 2023: Innovation for Well-Being”. The competition saw a plethora of ideas, but the one that stole the show was by PARK D who showcased a “Parking Lot-Sharing” platform, designed to ameliorate transport connectivity. This award-winning idea is undergoing further development for its incorporation in the grand scheme of the Ari Innovation District.
In an alliance with the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), the NIA is working on the creation of innovation districts to make Bangkok more habitable and appealing for investment. Three such districts have already been launched, each catering to specific niches – Yothi is designated for medical services, Punnawithi for cybertech, and Ari Innovation District will serve as the model district. The project has assurance of full-fledged support in terms of funds and resources from the NIA, BMA, and private sector entities within the area, Chanwit confirmed.
In the past, the NIA laid down guidelines for chasing and propagating spatial innovation development across the area, city, and regional levels. It is now placing its focus on bringing Deep Tech to a variety of destinations including the Ari Innovation District. Being densely populated and an economic hub, Ari is ideal for nurturing businesses, leveraging infrastructure, and piloting new technologies.
“In collaboration with BMA and partners, we aspire to mould Ari Innovation District into a ‘Cognitive City’. To accomplish this, the adoption and development of Deep Tech is imperative to fortify the district’s unique value propositions and make it a beacon for innovative businesses, investments from the public and private sectors, and international tech firms,” Chanwit revealed.
The collaboration between the NIA, BMA, and partners is setting the stage to build a robust innovation ecosystem. Their vision is to evolve Ari Innovation District into an innovation sandbox, where infrastructure for technological innovation can be built and used to address citywide issues, bolster the value of the district’s physical assets, and foster partnerships among relevant organizations.
Chanwit is optimistic that the success of this year’s project will motivate others to participate in future hackathons, which will hopefully lead to the execution of two to three projects in the Ari Innovation District annually. “If an innovation proves effective in solving a challenge in Ari, it can be replicated to resolve similar issues in other areas of Bangkok. These challenges often revolve around parking shortages, transportation connection, waste management, security, and public green space,” said Chanwit.
Sanon Wangsrangboon, Bangkok’s deputy governor, believes that this innovative project will propel the BMA closer to its aim of transforming Thailand’s capital into an ideal living space. He emphasized the importance of innovation in solving problems, optimizing resources, enhancing liveability, and adding value to the city.
Highlighting the potential of the Ari district, he shared his belief that it will seize a leading position in the world’s top innovation districts, owing to its ongoing transformation. Envisioning a bright future for Bangkok, he said, “Bangkok will transcend from being merely a tourist or business hotspot. With the support of innovative progress, it will emerge as a capital where everyone can experience and cherish urban growth.”
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