Prospects for Zero-Carbon Transitions Towards Multimodal Mobility Systems in Chiang Mai, Thailand

In this paper, we examine a new mobility system being developed in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Mobility is a vital part of everyday life and a key issue in the climate change discussion. Chiang Mai has been dominated by traditional modes of transport (e.g. Tuk-tuks, Songthaews), with no public transport services. A recent increase in the ownership of motorcycles and passenger cars has caused air pollution and traffic congestion, also increasing carbon emissions as well as road hazards. In this context, we carried out a series of field research: two-stage interviews, a workshop, documentary sources, and observation of transport services between 2019 and 2021. Employing the Multi-level Perspective (MLP) and Practice Theory from Sociology, we explore how different stakeholders develop new ideas and improve systems, and find that the regime actors (established incumbent) are introducing a new system without reflecting user experience, their skill and knowledge, and appropriate infrastructures. This top-down approach can lead to poor outcomes in transition projects. Instead, space for bottom-up user perspectives needs to be retained. A better understanding of the ‘practice of mobility’ (e.g., infrastructure, individual modes of transport, and relevant skills and knowledge, and meaning attached to the practice) is crucial to a realisation of a smart sustainable mobility system to build a post-carbon society.