Bangkok: The Deputy Minister of Interior (M.3), Mr. Jetseth Thaiseth, has announced a transformative policy directive aimed at upgrading urban planning across the nation. The initiative underscores the adoption of "specific city plans" as a tangible model for fostering urban development.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Jetseth has tasked the Department of Public Works and Town Planning with the mission to review and update town plans nationwide. The directive emphasizes creating plans that are modern, comprehensive, and reflective of actual local conditions, thereby responding to multifaceted aspects of development such as economic growth, social welfare, infrastructure enhancement, environmental conservation, and improving citizens' quality of life. The approach prioritizes public and community engagement, ensuring that planning initiatives are grounded in real-world data and yield practical benefits for national development.
Mr. Jetseth highlighted the significance of urban planning as a strategic process to guide urban and rural development. This process is designed to ensure efficient land use that meets the area's potential and community needs. It also supports infrastructure development, economic and social advancement, cultural identity preservation, and environmental quality improvement, aiming to elevate public awareness about the benefits of urban planning and encourage active participation in city development.
Emphasizing adaptability, Mr. Jetseth stated, "Urban planning must respond to development in all dimensions, adapt to changes in the area, and be practical, taking into account the voices of the people and communities, so that development benefits the public to the greatest extent."
Mr. Pongnara Yenying, Director-General of the Department of Public Works and Town Planning, elaborated on the department's adoption of "Specific Town Plans" under the Town Planning Act B.E. 2562 (2019). These plans now serve as practical tools that define clear directions for area development, including land use, building development, infrastructure systems, and government investment plans. This strategic approach supports the creation of new cities, the revitalization of aging urban areas, and the enhancement of citizens' quality of life.
"Specific urban plans" function as detailed "city blueprints," guiding spatial development with considerations for urban expansion, rehabilitation of degraded areas, preservation of historical and cultural values, and improvements in infrastructure and public utilities. The ultimate objective is to achieve systematic, balanced, and sustainable urban development aligned with the unique potential and context of each area.
The Department of Public Works and Town Planning has identified five pilot areas for specific town plan development. These areas, chosen for their unique historical, cultural, and urban characteristics, will undergo comprehensive study and analysis to establish development guidelines that respect the local context.
The pilot areas include the old town area of Surin Province, the Chanthaburi riverside community in Chanthaburi Province, the community along Sri Takua Pa Road in Phang Nga Province, the Transit-Oriented Development area around Phitsanulok Railway Station in Phitsanulok Province, and the Pak Nam Prasae community in Rayong Province. Each plan aims to harmonize development with historical, cultural, and local context considerations.
In extending these efforts, the Department has also translated study results into physical developments, such as enhancing green spaces in Buriram and Tak Provinces and improving tourism standards in Chonburi Province. Additionally, guidelines for urban aesthetics surrounding Den Chai Railway Station in Phrae Province are being developed to inform future local ordinances.
Mr. Jetseth concluded by affirming the Ministry of Interior's commitment to advancing urban planning that mirrors the nation's evolving landscape, ensuring urban planning serves as a pivotal tool for systematic development that benefits the public and promotes sustainable growth nationwide.