Congested, Threatened by Climate Change, Thailand Considers a New Location for Capital

The prime minister of Thailand has proposed the idea of moving the location of the country's capital, currently in Bangkok, to another location.

1 minute read

October 11, 2019, 2:00 PM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Traffic Jam in Bangkok

Milei.vencel / Wikimedia Commons

Thailand could be the next nation in south-east Asia to relocate its capital after Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha hinted such a move could be a 'possibility' under his government," according to an article by Kate Lamb.

Myanmar and Indonesia have achieved and planned, respectively, similar plans to change locations of their capital cities.

"Like Jakarta, Bangkok is beset by overcrowding, pollution, rising sea levels and heavy traffic congestion," according to Lamb.

"During an address at the Connecting Thailand with the World Conference on 18 September, the retired army general floated two options for a potential move. 'The first is to find a city that’s neither too far nor too expensive to move to,' he said, 'The second is to move to outer Bangkok to reduce crowding.'"

The idea is still extremely speculative at this point, but the convergence of trends, in multiple countries, is notable even at this early stage.

Sunday, September 29, 2019 in The Guardian

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Use Code 25for25 at checkout for 25% off an annual plan!

Interior of Place Versailles mall in Montreal, Canada.

Montreal Mall to Become 6,000 Housing Units

Place Versailles will be transformed into a mixed-use complex over the next 25 years.

May 22, 2025 - CBC

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

May 28, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Rendering of California High-Speed Rail station with bullet train.

California High-Speed Rail's Plan to Right Itself

The railroad's new CEO thinks he can get the project back on track. The stars will need to align this summer.

May 19, 2025 - Benjamin Schneider

Nevada State Senate building.

Nevada Legislature Unanimously Passes Regional Rail Bill

If signed by the governor, the bill will create a task force aimed at developing a regional passenger rail system.

May 28 - KRNV News 4

Blue sidewalk curb cut painted with white accessibility symbol.

How Infrastructure Shapes Public Trust

A city engineer argues that planners must go beyond code compliance to ensure public infrastructure is truly accessible to all users.

May 28 - Governing

Protester at Echo Park Lake, Los Angeles holding sign that says "Housing is a human right"

Photos: In Over a Dozen Cities, Housing Activists Connect HUD Cuts and Local Issues

We share images from six of the cities around the country where members of three national organizing networks took action on May 20 to protest cuts to federal housing funding and lift up local solutions.

May 28 - Shelterforce Magazine