Thailand’s Next Urban Leap: Connecting Cities through Transit-Oriented Development
Thailand is advancing its ambition to build greener, better-connected cities through a new generation of Transit-Oriented Development (TOD)—with support from the World Bank and PPIAF.
The initiative helps national and local governments collaborate through public-private partnerships (PPPs) to deliver resilient, low-carbon urban mobility systems, with development integrated at their core.
This momentum was on full display during a final series of technical workshops held in May 2025 under the Resilient and Low Carbon City Development program. Organized in Bangkok, Lamphun, and Pattaya, the workshops brought together national authorities, city leaders, and development partners to assess progress, exchange knowledge, and identify the next phase of support.
From Strategy to Action
Over the past 18 months, Thailand has engaged in a global learning exchange on TOD—drawing insights from countries like Japan, Korea, India, China, New Zealand, and Australia. Topics ranged from land value capture and land pooling to PPP structuring and low-carbon urban planning.
The May 2025 workshops marked the culmination of this learning, shifting the focus from theory to bankable local solutions.
Bangkok: Mapping the Path Forward
In Bangkok, key stakeholders from:
Mass Rapid Transit Authority (MRTA)
Office of Transport Policy (OTP)
National Rail Authority
Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC)
Ministry of Finance’s Debt Management Office (PDMO)
gathered to explore PPP models and financing pathways for TOD.
OTP expressed growing interest in World Bank support for pilot cities including Pattaya, Phuket, and Chiang Mai. PDMO also proposed a meeting on the World Bank’s O2D financing model to better understand how lending could add value before projects reach Cabinet review.
Lamphun: A TOD Model for Smaller Cities
In Lamphun, about 30 participants from local government, private sector, MRTA, and OTP explored how TOD could support a proposed e-bus system.
The focus was on creating simple, replicable TOD models for secondary cities—models that can scale without relying heavily on costly advisory services.
Pattaya: Fast-Tracking High-Speed Rail Integration
With a new high-speed rail line to Bangkok breaking ground this July, Pattaya is prioritizing connectivity through a new light rail transit (LRT) system linking downtown to the future HSR terminal.
Led by the Mayor of Pattaya, and joined by OTP and the EEC’s High-Speed Rail Department, the workshop focused on designing and financing TOD through effective PPP structuring.
The EEC has committed to financing early transaction advisory services. Pattaya has signaled strong interest in World Bank Group support, including technical assistance, IFC advisory, and potential financing options. The city and EEC will now coordinate internally before submitting a formal request.
What’s Next
As the current technical assistance program concludes, priority actions are being considered for integration into future support:
Support to OTP: Continue technical assistance on the national TOD master plan, TOD legislation, and simplified TOD models for cities like Lamphun.
New PPP Pathways: Explore engagement with institutions like SEPO and SRTA on municipal PPP frameworks, low-cost housing, and productive land use.
Tailored Advisory Services: Develop a potential stand-alone advisory package for Pattaya, Phuket, and Chiang Mai to advance TOD-linked infrastructure.
Mobilizing Finance: Coordinate with PDMO on a dedicated session to present the O2D model, ensuring projects are well-positioned for World Bank lending ahead of Cabinet submission.
A Foundaon for the Future
The workshop series demonstrated that Transit-Oriented Development is no longer just a concept in Thailand—it is becoming a cornerstone of the country’s climate-smart, investment-ready urban transformation.