Human rights advocates are pushing for greater community input on decisions about development projects, saying local planning committees do not invite public participation.
The Town Planning Act should be amended by adding members of the public to town planning committees, posts currently exclusive to state officials, said EnLaw Thai Foundation secretary-general Surachai Trong-ngam.
The committees are responsible for creating town plans, which set zoning conditions and protect public spaces. Often, the plans must be amended to accommodate development projects that can affect locals' livelihoods.
Mr Surachai was speaking at a meeting of public agencies and a group of people adversely affected by industrial and other projects in Rayong and Songkhla.
He said a committee should be created for every level, in parallel with the local administrative organisation. He also suggested that zoning protections should remain in effect after town plans have expired, until such time as they are replaced.
A recent study funded by the National Human Rights Commission found that decision-makers largely ignored local people when changing town plans to accommodate development projects that have social and environmental impacts on communities.
The study cited several cases of community rights violations by both state and private projects. Surveys for town planning changes are often poorly conducted, without understanding of local cultures and natural resources. Public hearings lack genuine public participation and are used simply to justify the projects, it said.
Paranee Sawasdirak, a member of the Civil Society Planning Network, said local communities rarely have access to information regarding town planning.
Niran Pithakwatchara, a National Human Rights Commissioner, said he would push for changes to town planning laws by petitioning the government and the coup council.