Promoting Territorial Connectivity
through Thailand National Spatial Policy Plan

Acting Capt. Theeraphong Krutdilakanan
Deputy Director-General of the Department of Public Works
and Town & Country Planning
6 th Spatial Planning Seminar (2023)
The City of Balikpapan Indonesia
Between 6 – 8 November 2023

Town Planning System in Thailand
Section 8 of the Town Planning Act B.E. 2562 (2019)
Types of plans are divided into 2 groups, 5 types:

1 Spatial Policy Plan

Board of Directors

Plan Announcement

Policy and strategic framework for national development in terms of space use for government agencies

National
Spatial
Policy plan
Regional
Spatial
Policy Plan

Policy framework and strategies for national area
development
Land Use Planning, Urban and Rural Development, NationallySignificant Infrastructure, Special Economic Zone (SEZ) etc.

Regional Spatial policy Planconsisting of 6 regions: 1) Northern Region, 2) Northeastern Region, 3) Southern Region,
4) Eastern Region, 5) Central Region, and 6) Bangkok and surrounding areas

Policy Committee
National
Town Planning
Prime Minister (Chairman)
Permanent Secretary of the Ministryof Interior (Committee Member andSecretary) Director-General of the
Department of Public Works andTown & Country Planning (Directorand Assistant Secretary)

Town Planning Committee

Provincial
Spatial
Policy Plan

2

Provincial area development strategy plan
is a guideline/measure for development and operation. Maintaining
provincial level areas Land use urban development Transportation andtransportation, etc

Land use plan

Town Planning Committee

guidelines and plans for land use in any area for city development
and city maintenance. Related areas and rural areas
Plan, policies, measures, and regulations

ComprehensivePlanregarding land use, open space, and transportation
projects. Public utilities, public utilities and public services

Plans and implementation projects

Specific Plan

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry ofInterior (Chairman) Director-General of the
Department of Public Works and Town &Country Planning (Committee Member andSecretary)

to develop or operate and maintenance of specific areas
or related areas in the city and related areas or rural area

Provincial Town Planning
Committee

Bangkok : Permanent Secretary of the
Ministry of Interior (Chairman)
Other Provinces : Provincial Governor(Chairman) Provincial Public Works
and Town & Country Planning(Director and Secretary)

Town Planning Committee“Announcement of thecommittee National Town
Planning Policy"

Announcement of the Town
Planning Committee
Provincial Policy Plan

Announcement of the Ministry of Interior
Comprehensive plan prepared by DPT.

“Local ordinance”
Comprehensive city plan
prepared by the local
administrative organization
Royal DecreeSpecific plan prepared by DPT.

Implementation of Thailand national spatial policy plan
Section 13 National Spatial Development Plan

Section 14 The components of a National Spatial Development Plan

Objective: To serve as a policy and strategic framework for national development in regional
utilization, urban development, related regions, and rural areas. Main structures, special area
development, natural resources and environmental protection, etc.
Committee approves: National Town Planning Policy Committee.
Effectiveness: Announced in the Royal Gazette. Government agencies operate according to theirauthority and duties.

The national policy plan under section 13 includes:(1) Purpose of formulating and formulating national policy plans(2) Policy framework, goals, plans, and physical plans for development orprotection the country as follows :(a) Area utilization(b) Settlements andcommunity systems(e) Natural resources,
environment andecosystems(f) Art and Culture
and local history.

Submit the "National Spatial Development Planning Draft" to the National Town
Planning Policy Committee for review. Approve and announce the National spatial
Planning Policy Committee within 2024(c) Infrastructure, water
management, tourism, (d) Special development
areas
transportation(g) Urban and ruraldevelopmentg) Links with countries
in the region(3) Measures and procedures to achieve the objectives of the national policy plan.
(4) Management and development of town planning, procedures andcooperation of relevant agencies and sectors, including the time frame for
implementation

Implementation of Regional Spatial Policy Plan
Carry out planning and mapping of policies covering 6 regions

Section 15 Regional Spatial Policy Plan

Objective: Use as a guideline for developing and maintaining areas with boundaries exceeding one
province. In terms of land use urban and rural development Transportation and transportation
Public utilities, public utilities and public services Including the maintenance of natural resources
and the environment.
Approval committee: National Urban Planning Policy Committee.
Effectiveness: Announced in the Royal Gazette. Government agencies operate according to theirauthority and duties.
Section 16 Composition of Regional Spatial Policy Plan
The regional spatial policy plan under Section 15 includes:(1) Purpose of formulating and developing regional policy plans(2) Regional Policy Map(3) One or more schematic diagrams, with the main content asfollows:a) Land useg) Art and culture
resources and local historyb) Settlement andcommunity systemsc) Public utility systems, public
facilities, and public services
according to basic structure(d) Transportation
systemh) Special development
areasi) Natural resources,
environment and ecosystems

J) Water plan(e) Tourism developmentzonek) Links with countries
in the region

Eastern region

Southern region

Northern region

Central Region(f) urban development
and countryside*(i) Other necessary
activities(4) Policies, Measures, and Procedures for Implementing regional spatial policy plan Objectives(5) Manage and develop urban planning, practices, and collaboration with relevant institutions anddepartments, including implementation time frames.

Submit the draft regional policy planning to the National Urban Planning Policy Committee meeting
within 2025.

Northeastern region

Bangkok and Vicinities region

Implementation of Provincial spatial policy plan
Section 17 Provincial Spatial Policy Plan

Section 18 The components of the provincial spatial policy plan

Objective: Use as a guideline for developing and maintaining provincial areas. In terms of land use
town and country development Transportation, public utilities and public services including themaintenance of natural resources and the environment.
Approval committee: Town Planning Committee.
Effectiveness: Announcement as announcement from the Town Planning Committee. To allow
government agencies to carry out their duties and powersa) Land useb) Settlement andcommunity systemsc) Town developmentg) Water planh) Development zone
Applicability: tourist
attractioni) Industrial development zoned) Transportationj) Agricultural
Development zone

(4) Provide assembly drawings as needed(5) Policies, measures, and procedures for implementing provincial policy plan objectives.
(6) Manage and develop urban planning, practices, and collaboration with relevant institutions
and departments, including implementation time frames.

The provincial spatial policy plans under Section 17 include:(1) Purpose of formulating and formulating provincial policy plans(2) Provincial policy area map(3) One or more schematic diagrams, with the main content as follows:e) Public utility
systems, public
utilities, etcf) Condition of
Natural resourcesk) Special development areal) Art and Culture
Conservation Area

Within 2025-2027, complete the preparation of provincial
spatial policy maps for all 76 provinces.

Thailand National spatial policy plan

Implementation of Spatial Policy Plan
Planning process1
2
3Organize a conference to clarify the formulation of national
policy planning on issues, potential, opportunities, anddirections related to national development.

Analyze the situation and development direction
National Spatial Policy Framework

Action in 2023▪

3rd Workshop on “National Spatial Policy Framework” on 17 October - 7 November 2022

▪ Step 3: Develop physical plans and plans for national development
or protection A consultation meeting was held with relevant institutions
and departments on the draft policy plan for the 14 branches
February 9th to May 16th, 2023

Preparation of physical plans and maps for the development or conservationof the country.

Develop branch development policy plans: (1) Area utilization,(2) Settlements and community systems, (3) Infrastructure (4) Special
Development areas (5) Natural Resources and Environment ecosystems(6) Art and Local History (7) Urban and Rural Development (8) Link withcountries in the regional; (9) Other necessary contacts.

4

Town Planning Committee Meeting

5
6

Meeting to listen to opinions on the draft national policy map

789

Town Planning Committee meeting To provide opinions
or academic advice

Implementation for fiscal year 2024.
National Town Planning Policy Committee
to consider and give approval

Draft announcement of the National Town Planning
Policy Committee
Announcement of the National Town Planning Policy in the Royal Gazette.

▪ Step 4: Submit the draft national policy planning to the second
meeting of the Town Planning Commission▪ Step 5: Meeting to listen to opinions on the draft national policy map
in 6 regions: the northern region, the central region, the northeasternregion, the eastern region, Bangkok and surrounding areas, and thesouthern region.
▪ Step 6: Town Planning Committee Meeting▪ Step 7: Meeting of the National Town Planning Policy Committee.
▪ Step 8: Drafting an announcement from the National Town Planning
Policy Committee.
▪ Step 9: Announcement in the Royal Gazette.

Thailand National Spatial Policy Plan
National development is a priority with more spatial andurban development, To spread economic and social
opportunities evenly.

20-year national strategy(2017 – 2037)

The 13th National Economic and Social
Development Plan

Develop national spatial policy plans.
••
Global Economic Situation/
Cooperation framework

Transportation development
Infrastructure

Development of the economic
center city••

Develop policies for the use of national spatial toachieve national strategic goals of creating stability,
prosperity, and sustainability.
Translate national economic and social development
plans into spatial development dimensions.
The statute of Town Planning B.E. 2023
Collaborate with institutions, related integration,and develop the region in the same direction.

The Statute of Town Planning
The Statute of Town Planning is as a frameworks that personnel involved in town planningshould adhere to and practice to integrate spatial management system in Thailand to achieve concreate
town planning results that truly benefit the country and its people.

Background of the Statute of Town Planning

Section 7 and Section 75(8) The Town planning Act. B.E. 2562 (2019)required that the national Town and Country Planning Board to prepare theStatute of Town Planning to provide the basic principles for personal involved
in town planning adhere to. The draft statute was proposed to the Cabinet forconsideration and approval. When approved, The Statute of Town Planningcommits government agencies and other organizations to performing theirduties and exercising their powers accordingly.

The essence of the Statute of Town Planning
is divided into 3 chapter and 26 principles.

Chapter 1
PolicyPrinciples
7 principles

The government has proposed solutions to achieve sustainable land use. These include
formulating and overseeing settlement and town planning policies through national authorities,
in coordination with the Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council.
Additionally, the application of a Statute of Town Planning is recommended to prevent agencies
from engaging in violations or negligence that may lead to spatial development in areas
conflicting with the established principles.

Chapter 2
Basic
Principles
14 principles

Chapter 3
SpatialPrinciples
5 principles

The Statute of Town Planning
ExampleArticle 3 The government must utilize urban planning as a policy framework for the country's urban development andactively support integrated national development across all sectors, aligning with the urban planning guidelines at each level.
Article 13 Urban planning must consider the development of robust communication and transportation infrastructure toensure thorough connectivity and efficient mobility.
Article 22 Town planning must delineate the reservation areas, conservation areas, and development areas, tailored to local conditions.
Article 23 Town planning must prioritize the safeguarding the fertile agricultural areas.
Article 24 Town planning must ensure the allocation of industrial zones in suitable areas, considering both economic
development and their potential impact on communities and the environment.
Article 25 Town planning and town development must actively safeguard and sustain natural resources, as well as protect
landscapes that possess scenic beauty or hold intrinsic natural value.
Article 26 Town Planning and town development must prioritize the preservation or revitalization of sites and objects that
hold artistic, architectural, historical, or archaeological significance. This should be done while considering the unique identity andlifestyle of the community.

Context of transformationinfluence the formulation of national policy framework

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

World food crisis

A new agenda for urban development

Advances in technology and innovation

War effects and energy crisis

Natural disasters from climate change

Threat of emerging diseases

Clean energy technology

A completely aging society with strategies foraging in the same place of residence

Expansion of urbanization and promote
the role of small cities

Thailand's capabilities at the global and regional levels

Thailand is a gateway connecting ASEAN(ASEAN GATEWAY)

It is a multi-level area center.
It is the gateway connecting Asia with
Australia and the gateway to ASEAN.

Global Agriculture and Fruit Markets(Place Creative and Innovative)
Production base for tropical fruits
and high quality GI crops

National health and education center(Medical and Education Hub)
Thailand's medical tourism is ranked
6th in the world and is a center for
research studies. to develop theregionA world-leading tourist city
(Travel World Class)Travel to the Andaman Sea coast,
Thailand Riviera, Lanna culture,and tourism creativity.

Change situation
at the national level

Population and Economy

Environmental crisis

The elderly population will increase.
The working age and childhood population
will decrease. Labor demand in the service
sector and Industry will increase

Drought problems,
flood victims will increase.
The trend of solid waste is increasing every
year. PM 2.5 and PM 10 are increasing inevery region.

Land use

Urbanization

Forest and agricultural areas tend to decrease.
Urban area is increasing more than demand.

Development is concentrated in Bangkok.
The emergence of urban areas.
There was a reverse migration trend.

Thailand Vision 2037

Development goals for 2037
Population and economic goals

Connectivity
Development of infrastructure; andThe economy is linked with countries
in the region.

Allocate employment opportunities to the region.
Entangled with the middle-income trap.
Industry and services are key mechanisms

Town and rural development goals

Innovative
Innovation and technological development
Creating competitivenessPromote living in town areas spread development The total
population of the country is 70,041,772 people.

Town Population

61%

Rural Population

Area utilization goals

Sustainability
Establish three-dimensional balance
Economy, society and environment

Preserve 40 percent of forest area,
preserve prime agricultural land.
Controlling the expansion of urban areas

39%

National Development Conceptual Plan

National development axis and connections with countries in the region and international

Urban development and urban systems
Development of potential areas

Conservation and restoration of natural resources and dealing with protection disaster

Special area development

Infrastructure development Transportation and logistics
Development of water management

Draft National Development Policy Framework

Connectivity
1. Being the center of the ASEAN Economic Community Connecting important cities in the world.
2. Being a transportation center and trade and investment linked to countries in the region.
3. City of Technology Build the competitive potential of the city with ICT infrastructure.

Innovation
1. Become an equally important production base as leading cities in the world.
2. Develop high-tech industrial bases and improve competitiveness.
3. Develop precision agriculture and promote the role of Thai kitchens in global kitchens.
4. Developing cities for the future.

(Smart city/ Spatial Innovation City / / Eastern Corridor / Northern Innovation Corridor)

Sustainability
1. Preserving, Protecting, and Restoring Natural Resources and Environmental Foundations.
2. Efficient and flexible balancing of urban and community systems.
3. Promote environmentally friendly production and services, and develop a green economy.
4. Developing green infrastructure for sustainable growth.

Connectivity with countries in the region• Strengthen Thailand's role as the center of the ASEAN Economic Community. and thegateway connecting the region with important cities in the world by developing areas along
the economic corridor axis.
• Linking 4 main economic development areas:- The North-South Economic Axis (NSEC) connects important cities in the ASEAN region with southern China.
- The Southern Economic Axis (SEC) connects from Dawei Port (Myanmar). ) to Thailand- Cambodia and Vietnam - Southern Coastal Economic Corridor (SCC) connecting Bangkok- Special Development Zone Eastern Thailand with Cambodia and Vietnam- Central Economic Axis (CEC) linking U-Tapao Airport - Northeastern Thailand- and Vientiane, Lao PDR,
• and connecting economic development areas on 2 secondary axes:- Economic Axis Northeast (NeEC) connects important economic cities. and secondary tourismof the region Luang Prabang (Lao PDR) - Hanoi (Vietnam)- East-West Economic Corridor (EWEC) connecting goods and services. Among ASEAN countries- Myanmar, Thailand, Lao PDR and Vietnam.

• Promoting seamless physical connectivity with countries in the region.
• Develop transportation and logistics networks Linked to countries in the region along the
economic axis and economic corridor area.
• To promote the development of areas that have the potential to be economic centers withinternational connections.

• Connect areas with tourism potential to become world-class tourism destinations.

Regional development policy framework
Bangkok and Vicinities Regional Policy Plan
“A competitive metropolis is a livable, adaptable, and sustainable city”

1. Bangkok plays the role of a world metropolis. act ascommercial area Center for medical treatment andeducation, develop ICT infrastructure, transportationand innovation to facilitate Economic convenience at
the international level
2. Provide for Bangkok and surrounding areas It is agroup of metropolitan cities. which is the capital of
the nation With world-class air transportation
potential and develop transportation to connect
seamlessly with ASEAN.
3. Reduce the role of Bangkok in some areas. To solve
environmental problems, traffic and heat in urban
areas. With compact city development Focusing on
using the rail system as the main link to connect
cities and metropolitan areas. Increase housing near
employment sources and sufficient green space.
4. Metropolitan city groups It has the potential to be acenter for government administration, residences,
and an industrial base of the future. Therefore, it isnecessary to increase public services thoroughly andwith a quality comparable to Bangkok.
5. Develop every city to be livable. Adapt flexibly tochange and the severity of the disaster.

Eastern Thailand Regional Policy Plan
“Industrial base and logistics center of the future It is an agricultural area
and a leading tourist destination.”

1. The Eastern Special Development Zone (EEC) is the futureadvanced industrial and service production base of theregion. Distribute work sources from Bangkok Developtransportation systems and border trade gateways.
2. Develop business and health tourism city of Pattaya as aninternational medical center. Connect tourist areas andpreserve the eastern seaboard.
3. Give importance to tropical fruit cultivation areas and worldclass fruit wholesale markets. A place for growing andtreating medicinal plants and an ASEAN gemstone market.
4. Develop the Map Ta Phut area to be a center of energy andrelated industries. with the use of natural gas energy.
5. Develop Laem Chabang Port and the inner area into a fullfledged industrial port city. There is an infrastructure andlogistics system to support industry and trade.
6. Develop the logistics system along the economic axis. To
increase the potential of connections with Cambodia, Vietnam
and Myanmar, expanding markets and border investment.
7. Technological advancements that are transforming thesector. From an industry that emphasizes innovation in the
production process and development of safe products andenvironmentally friendly.
8. Develop human capital through research, technology andinnovation (EECd EEC) U-Tapao-Ban Chang Innovation
District Sriracha Innovation District Pattaya Innovation
District)Northern Thailand Regional Policy Plan

“High value creative economic base and important watershed forest areas of the country”

1. Promote the conservation of natural resources andwatershed forests, aiming at restoring degraded
forests. Ancient sites and Lanna culture, Sukhothai,Hariphunchai.
2. Develop a trade gateway connecting Indochina, SouthAsia, and Southeast Asia. Increase investment
potential through border special economic zones andthe North-South (NSEC) and East-West (EWEC)
economic development axes, including developing
transportation and logistics, rail and waterways.
3. Developing creative tourism, arts and crafts, natureand Lanna culture. Chiang Mai is the center
connecting the Lanna tourist routes and developing
Unique Products to raise income levels.
4. It is a plantation area. Produce organic agricultural
products, safe agriculture and a bio-industrial
agricultural development zone under the concept of
BCG.
5. Raise the level of Northern Thailand Food Valley.
Drive future food innovations to the international
market.
6. Promote health care business groups. and digitalindustry To increase business opportunities in theregion.
7. Create a flood prevention system in the Yom River
Basin. and plans to prevent flash floods and landslides
for safety in settlements.

Central Thailand Regional Policy Plan
“Develop the creative economy, innovation, tourism and agricultural products”
1. Being a fertile agricultural area that surrounds themetropolitan region Therefore, we must giveimportance to agricultural development first. To
promote the potential of the country's fertile areasand promote high quality rice production and safe
agriculture to become the “Kitchen of the World”
2. Develop international coastal tourism, The RoyalCoast Cha-am-Hua Hin, creative tourism and highvalue services, MICE and the Thailand Riviera,
connecting with the sector. South3. Develop into an ASEAN bio-industry center fromagriculture for the biological industry under the BCG
concept and as an industrial production base that
relies on advanced technology (Super Cluster)
4. Develop border economic activities National bordercrossing points
5. Develop a comprehensive logistics system bothproduct center and distribution center river transportsystem (Chao Phraya River, Tha Chin, railtransportation via intercity highways Pipelinetransportation
6. Create a flood prevention system to preserve
economic and agricultural areas .
7. Develop urban cluster connections. Place of
employment and residence Rely on services within
the city cluster systematically to reduce dependency
on Bangkok.

Northeastern Thailand Regional Policy Plan

“A source of advanced agricultural industry and tourism in the Khmer civilization, trade Gateway to Indochina"

1. Develop agricultural industries in areas with potential for export, such asprocessing, industrial development. Biofuels and Biochemicals Continuously
research and develop products with agriculture and livestock.
2. Develop infrastructure, irrigation systems, and soil rehabilitation to preserveand develop the region's prime agricultural land to be able to farm year-round.
Create food security and maintain the country's best source of jasmine riceproduction.
3. Develop it into a high-value agricultural production zone, energy crops
and biomass technology to produce alternative energy under the BCG concept,
creating energy security. Develop modern farm systems and E-Commerce.
4. Develop the Central Economic Corridor, the industrial base route and the center.
Logistics of the ASEAN region and the East-West Corridor economic axis,
a transportation route within the ASEAN region from the Indian Ocean to the
Pacific. To be a trade gateway to Indochina By promoting trade on the Thaiborder (Nong Khai, Ubon Ratchathani, Mukdahan, Nakhon Phanom) with Lao
PDR and Vietnam and developing industries for export. logistics system and the
NeEC economic corridor area
5. Develop rail and road transport within the region and between regions.
Especially linking cargo ports in the region and connecting cities and ports inneighboring countries to promote international transportation and tourism.
6. It is an important landmark for tourism in the Indochina region. By promoting
tourism in cultural provinces such as ancient Khmer culture. Mekong River
Valley Culture Including new tourist attractions and tourist activities.
7. Accelerate solutions to flood problems. and drought problems By managing
the water storage and drainage system adequately throughout the year.

Southern Thailand Regional Policy Plan
“A world-leading quality tourist city Area, connecting the two peninsulas, Regional
Economic Crop Center”

1. Promote and develop tourism on the Andaman Sea coast to become a leading
tourism and service business center. world-class tourism and the Eastern Seaboard
to a leading tourist and service area in Asia that has the potential to connect
the tourist zone with The Royal Coast of the central region.
2. Develop transportation and logistics networks along the North-South economic
axis. Economic Corridor, Land Bridge and Southern Economic Corridor (SEC)
to comprehensively connect the two peninsulas with land, rail and watertransportation systems (international shipping lanes To the countries of IMT-GT,
BIMSTEC) and develop into a logistics hub (Logistics Hub) of the ASEAN region.
3. Promote the agricultural industry, high value economic crops, Rubber Cityof the southern region, seafood processing industry. and the halal food industry
that is important at the Asian level.
4. Promote education, research, and development appropriate to economic crops ofthe southern region. Especially in the cultivation and development of breeds. andproducing high quality products along with sustainable conservation of agriculturalareas.
5. Develop border cities and trade with Malaysia. By developing economic cities withadequate infrastructure Including connecting border cities in Myanmar.
To transport goods and travel internationally.
6. Preserve and conserve natural resources. especially coastal resources Wetlands,
swamp forests, and mangrove forests with strict control over development. andrestore it to the most complete ecological condition.
7. Arrange for prevention and warning of natural disasters. Especially coastal areas
at risk of tsunamis, storms, and floods that require strict land use in flood areas.
Have an effective evacuation plan in place.