Measuring the impact of creative city attributes on regional economic development in Thailand

Abstract

Creative industries of Thailand have developed substantially over recent decades. However, challenges persist in quantifying their contributions to regional economies due to data limitations and issues with industrial classification. This study addressed these challenges by introducing tailored creative city indicators and analyzing the impacts of different creative city dimensions—cultural vibrancy, the creative economy, and the enabling environment—on the provincial economic output of Thailand. Using empirical data from 2015 to 2021, the study employed a panel fixed-effects model with gross regional and provincial product (GPP) as the primary variable. The findings revealed that, while the creative economy and enabling environment significantly boosted economic output across provinces, cultural vibrancy did not have the expected positive effect. In fact, provinces with high cultural heritage and venues often experienced lower economic outputs, particularly in smaller regions, suggesting that cultural assets alone may not drive economic growth without supporting infrastructure and industry. This study highlights the need for a comprehensive policy approach that integrates culture with economic participation and infrastructure to fully realize the economic potential of creative cities in Thailand.