NHRC urges review of TOD law to protect low-income residents

MGR Online•Politics•22d ago

Reader Briefing

The National Human Rights Commission has requested the Prime Minister to review the TOD law to prevent impacts on community rights and housing for low-income earners.

•The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) is concerned that the TOD law may affect rental communities on State Railway of Thailand land and low-income groups.
•The draft law covers urban development around 177 railway stations across Thailand.
•The NHRC passed a resolution on September 30, 2026, to send a letter to the Prime Minister requesting Cabinet oversight of the Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning (OTP).
•Khon Kaen province serves as one of the pilot areas for the TOD development.

Overview

•The Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning (OTP) is drafting the Act on the Development of Areas in and Around Rail Infrastructure, also known as the TOD law.
•Wasan Phailikli, a member of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), stated the draft law may impact community rights and housing rights, especially for those renting State Railway of Thailand land.
•The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) found that the draft law lacks housing promotion, fails to mandate social and human rights impact assessments, and does not ensure public participation from the planning stage.
•Wasan Phailikli noted that although the Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning (OTP) has accepted suggestions for improvement, the plan affects 177 areas nationwide, not just the Northeast.
•Housing experts and the Community Organization Development Institute proposed including housing plans for low-to-middle-income earners within the TOD guidelines.
•The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) passed a resolution on September 30, 2026, to petition the Prime Minister.
•The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) requests the Cabinet to monitor the Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning (OTP) to ensure thorough public hearings and the integration of NHRC proposals before the law is submitted.

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Key Entities

Organization

National Human Rights Commission(กสม.)ℹ️

The body that passed a resolution to request a review of the TOD law to protect community and housing rights.

Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning(สำนักงานนโยบายและแผนการขนส่งและจราจร)ℹ️

The agency responsible for the draft TOD law.

State Railway of Thailand(การรถไฟแห่งประเทศไทย)ℹ️

The entity whose land is being rented by affected communities.

Community Organization Development Institute(สถาบันพัฒนาองค์กรชุมชนฯ)

An organization that proposed including housing plans for low-to-middle-income earners in the TOD guidelines.

Cabinet(ครม.)

The body requested to oversee the Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning.

Person

Wasan Phailikli(วสันต์ ภัยหลีกลี้)

A member of the National Human Rights Commission.

Prime Minister(นายกรัฐมนตรี)ℹ️

The official to whom the National Human Rights Commission sent its request.

Law

Act on the Development of Areas in and Around Rail Infrastructure(พ.ร.บ.การพัฒนาพื้นที่ในและโดยรอบโครงสร้างพื้นฐานทางราง)

Also known as the TOD law, this draft legislation aims to develop cities alongside transportation systems.

Place

Khon Kaen(ขอนแก่น)ℹ️

One of the pilot areas for the TOD development.