What if a major tourist city was infused with innovative artificial intelligence? Thailand has the answer: "Ratchaprasong Model." This initiative, which fuses tourist wonders with AI technology, is bringing significant changes to the tourist experience. The Thai government is taking this revolutionary step to address traffic congestion in the bustling business district of Ratchaprasong, the hub of tourist activity in the capital.
The project was officially launched last Friday in the Ratchaprasong area by the Minister of the Prime Minister's Office, Puangpet Chunlaiad, together with Deputy Minister Warawut Yanjareon. The event was attended by representatives from the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), the Tourism Police Bureau, the Royal Thai Police, and executives from shopping malls in the area.
This innovation acts as an intelligent digital spy, using CCTV networks to monitor vehicles that overstay their welcome in the no-parking zones around elite shopping complexes. At the heart of this traffic management strategy is an artificial intelligence (AI) system developed by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA).
Using CCTV cameras, this technology quickly identifies vehicles, particularly taxis, buses and tuk-tuks, that are often found in restricted zones around shopping malls for more than three minutes. Such violations are a major cause of the persistent traffic congestion that characterizes the area.
The goal of this initiative is to streamline traffic flow at intersections while increasing safety and confidence among visiting tourists, including those in the Ratchadamri Road area.
Bangkok's deputy governor, Wisanu Subsompon, took an innovative approach to the challenge of combating illegally parked vehicles. By capturing vehicle license plates on CCTV cameras, he plans to use the footage as evidence to issue parking tickets.
In addition, public transportation operators and business stakeholders in the area are working together to provide better solutions by creating new parking spaces, designating passenger drop-off points, and establishing waiting areas. These steps are expected to be an effective solution to reduce traffic congestion, a change that is desired by many.
Wisanu added that there are plans to expand the system to other parts of Bangkok.
The AI-based traffic monitoring system is one of five initiatives to be implemented to combat traffic congestion. The other initiatives include the installation of warning signs for tourists and customers to avoid using illegal transport, strict law enforcement against traffic violations, and the application of social sanctions.
