SMART ENVIRONMENT: OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES OF TECHNOLOGY TO SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Abstract

This article aims to analyze the role of Internet of Things (IoT) technology in environmental management and proposes strategic guidelines for developing sustainable smart cities within the Thai social context. The analysis is framed by Smart City development policies aimed at elevating the quality of life and environmental standards, particularly in urban areas. Although Thai society has demonstrated a rapid adaptation to digital integration in daily life, the fundamental challenge remains the national transformation to keep pace with global trends under the principle of leaving no one behind. Crucially, such progress must be anchored in sustainability. The construction of smart cities in Thailand utilizes technology as a strategic instrument to balance economic growth, social well-being, and ecological preservation, with an emphasis on proactive environmental management. This paradigm shift involves transitioning from traditional monitoring methods to Smart Environmental Monitoring Systems that integrate IoT and Machine Learning. These technologies facilitate real-time surveillance of air, water, and potential disasters, empowering both the public sector and citizens to make highly accurate, data-driven decisions. However, driving a sustainable smart environment requires “environmental sustainability” to serve as the core axis. The state must pivot its role from a top-down commander to a facilitator, ensuring equitable access to technology and dismantling complex bureaucratic barriers. This ensures that technology effectively fulfills its purpose of enhancing human life and preserving the environment for future generations. Through a systems thinking approach, this study concludes that a smart city is not a one-time “output” but an ongoing “process” of continuous development. Tangible success can only be achieved through a dual-driven momentum: the clear translation of government policy into practice, coupled with robust civic engagement. This synergy fosters social awareness and the collective creation of a smart society characterized by both innovation and sustainable quality of life. Nevertheless, smart environments in Thailand still face significant policy-level obstacles that require urgent resolution, specifically regarding inter-agency integration, digital equity, data governance, and the challenges of institutional sustainability.