Forum for Urban Future in Southeast Asia Network of Southeast Asian and German Experts

In 1962, Khon Kaen Province was selected as the center of development for northeast Thailand. Regional government sectors were formed, Khon Kaen University was established and the road from Bangkok to Nong Khai province was improved and extended. Consumer goods could now be easily transported directly to the consumers in other parts of the country. The economy of northeast Thailand had high growth rates and Khon Kaen city also expanded in many ways, especially the housing sector.
In 1992, the Asian Development bank (ADB) gave support to a plan to construct a road from Myanmar, via Khon Kaen, to Vietnam and from China, via Vientiane and Khon Kaen, to Bangkok. Many factories, companies and businesses moved to establish themselves in Khon Kaen. This economic corridor drove Khon Kaen to become the center of the Mekong region.
Khon Kaen Municipality set out a strategic plan for Khon Kaen city to become a "green and clean" city by constructing wastewater treatment and sludge disposal facilities while organizing garbage collection and recycling. The concept of "Khon Kaen Garden City" was promoted by planting more trees, increasing the number of/ extending public parks and supporting healthy activities and the consumption of organic food to improve quality of life.
In 2009, Khon Kaen Municipality declared that Khon Kaen City would introduce "low carbon action" to raise awareness and promote public participation, as well as involvement of various government agencies, the chamber of commerce, NGOs and many areas of the private sector. Khon Kaen is a model province for the Mekong Sub-region in combating global warming with multi-sector participation.

 

Prof. Dr. Sekson Yongvanit

Faculty of Humanities and Sciences, Khon Kaen University, Thailand
Mr. Virunpob Supab
Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Khon Kaen, Thailand