Building Smart Cities: Singapore-Thailand Third Country Training Programme in Singapore

The programme was conducted together with the Digital Economy Promotion Agency (DEPA), Thailand, under the Singapore Cooperation Programme. It was jointly opened by Mrs Chonlatee Chanrachakul, Thailand’s Minister and Deputy Chief of Mission, CLC’s Executive Fellow, Michael Koh, and Oliver Koh, Deputy Director from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Singapore.

Over five days, experts from Singapore and Thailand shared their wealth of knowledge, insights, and technical experience from both countries’ urban development. Delegates also engaged with case studies of Smart Nation / Smart City initiatives, including Jurong Innovation District’s Smart and Sustainable Manufacturing Hub by JTC Corporation, and Smart Cities on the Ground: Thailand’s Real-World Urban Challenges by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration.

Onsite learning journeys are a key feature in all of CLC’s programmes. They provide delegates with an opportunity to experience first-hand urban solutions and practices. Delegates at this workshop visited:

• ST Engineering’s Innosuite for its smart urban solutions;

• Singapore City Gallery at URA Building;

• Marina Barrage and the Sustainable Singapore Gallery; and

• Housing Development Board’s Punggol Northshore for its implementation of smart technologies.

Sharing his key takeaway from the workshop, a participant said, “A smart city is not just about high-tech infrastructure—it’s about improving the quality of life for all citizens”. He added that the training had given him a renewed sense of purpose and practical ideas—from enhancing data systems and digital services to strengthening inter-agency coordination and community involvement.

The workshop closed with a ceremony held at the Royal Thai Embassy in Singapore. Her Excellency Ureerat Chareontoh, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Thailand to Singapore, Mr Chulvat Narinthrangura, Director-General of Thailand International Cooperation Agency, and Ms Jolene Tan, Director-General of the Technical Cooperation Directorate, MFA, reaffirmed Singapore and Thailand’s 60 years of diplomatic relations, and the deepening cooperation between the two countries.

Contributed by Christopher Soon, Senior Assistant Director, Capability Development