The Human Rights Consequences of the Eastern Economic Corridor and Special Economic Zones in Thailand July 2020 Composed of 60 eminent judges and lawyers from all regions of the world, the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) promotes and protects human rights through the Rule of Law, by using its unique legal expertise to develop and strengthen national and international justice systems. Established in 1952 and active on the five continents, the ICJ aims to ensure the progressive development and effective implementation of international human rights and international humanitarian law; secure the realization of civil, cultural, economic, political and social rights; safeguard the separation of powers; and guarantee the independence of the judiciary and legal profession. ® The Human Rights Consequences of the Eastern Economic Corridor and Special Economic Zones in Thailand © Copyright International Commission of Jurists Published in July 2020 The International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) permits free reproduction of extracts from any of its publications provided that due acknowledgment is given and a copy of the publication carrying the extract is sent to their headquarters at the following address: International Commission of Jurists P.O. Box 91 Rue des Bains 33 Geneva Switzerland The Human Rights Consequences of the Eastern Economic Corridor and Special Economic Zones in Thailand July 2020 Acknowledgements: This report was drafted by Sanhawan Srisod. Significant research and drafting assistance was provided by Asst Prof. Saovanee Kaewjullakarn. Legal review and direction were provided by Frederick Rawski, Meghna Abraham and Ian Seiderman. Editorial assistance in the finalization of the report was provided by Dhevy Sivaprakasam. Timothy Fish Hodgson also provided input that informed this report. 2 The Human Rights Consequences of the Eastern Economic Corridor and Special Economic Zones in Thailand TABLE OF CONTENTS GLOSSARY .............................................................................................................................. 4 LIST OF ACRONYMS USED IN THIS REPORT............................................................................ 6 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ............................................................................................................ 7 1. INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................... 10 1.1 Structure of the Report..................................................................................................11 1.2 Special Economic Zones and Investment Frameworks in Southeast Asia ...............................12 1.2.1 SEZs and ASEAN Trade Agreements ........................................................................13 1.3 Special Economic Zones and the Eastern Economic Corridor in Thailand ...............................13 1.3.1 Special Economic Zones (SEZs) ..............................................................................14 1.3.2 Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) ............................................................................16 1.4 Methodology ................................................................................................................18 2. INTERNATIONAL LAWS AND STANDARDS ........................................................................ 19 2.1 Thailand’s Obligations Under International Law .................................................................19 2.2 Obligations to Protect, Respect and Fulfil Human Rights .....................................................20 2.2.1 Rights to an Adequate Standard of Living, Water and Housing ....................................23 2.2.2 Indigenous Peoples’ Rights ....................................................................................24 2.2.3 Forced Evictions ...................................................................................................25 2.2.4 Right to Health.....................................................................................................27 2.2.5 A Safe, Clean, Healthy and Sustainable Environment .................................................27 2.2.6 Rights to and at Work ...........................................................................................27 2.2.7 Access to Information and Public Participation ..........................................................28 2.2.8 Right to Effective Remedy and Reparation ................................................................29 2.3 United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights ........................................31 3. LEGAL FRAMEWORKS GOVERNING SEZs AND THE EEC ..................................................... 33 3.1 Thailand’s Post-Coup Legal and Governance System .........................................................33 3.1.1 Concerns Regarding the Legality of NCPO and HNCPO Orders ....................................33 3.1.2 Lack of consultation and transparency by the NCPO-Appointed Assembly .....................34 3.1.3 Absence of Reference to Human Rights in the 20-year National Strategy ......................35 3.2 SEZ and EEC Legal Frameworks ......................................................................................35 3.2.1 HNCPO and NCPO Orders ......................................................................................35 3.2.2 The EEC Act.........................................................................................................37 3.2.3 The Draft SEZ Act.................................................................................................38 3.3 Governing Bodies of SEZs and the EEC ............................................................................38 3.3.1 Lack of Inclusiveness of the EEC and SEZ Policy Committees ......................................39 4. IMPACTS ON ACCESS TO LAND AND HOUSING ................................................................. 43 4.1 Overview of the General Framework for Land Use in Thailand .............................................43 4.1.1 Public Lands ........................................................................................................43 4.1.2 Private Lands .......................................................................................................43 4.2 Inadequacies with Respect to the Designation of SEZ and EEC areas ...................................44 4.2.1 Designation of SEZ Areas ......................................................................................44 4.2.2 Designation of EEC Areas .....................................................................................50 4.3 Overriding Checks and Balances in Land Acquisition and Town Planning ...............................56 4.3.1 Fast-tracking of Land Acquisition Process for SEZs by HNCPO Order ............................56 4.3.2 The Use of Agriculture Land Reform Areas for SEZ and EEC Purposes ..........................58 4.3.3 Overriding the Town Planning Act ...........................................................................59 The Human Rights Consequences of the Eastern Economic Corridor and Special Economic Zones in Thailand 3 4.4 Failure to Provide Alternatives and Compensation .............................................................60 4.4.1 Compensation ......................................................................................................61 4.4.2 Resettlement and Alternative Livelihoods .................................................................62 4.4.3 Lack of Clarity Regarding the EEC Fund ...................................................................64 5. CONCERNS ARISING WITH RESPECT TO ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS .................................... 66 5.1 General Legal Framework for Environmental Protection in Thailand ......................................66 5.2 Lack of Adequate Legal Protections for the Right to Health and Environment ........................67 5.2.1 Existing Protections under Relevant Laws and the Constitution ...................................68 5.3 The Environmental Assessment Process ...........................................................................71 5.3.1 Types of Environmental Impact Assessments under Thai law ......................................72 5.3.2 Absence of Strategic Environmental Assessments under Thai law ................................74 5.3.3 Fast-tracking of Projects Without Environmental Impact Assessment ...........................76 5.3.4 Environmental Impact Assessments in SEZ and EEC Areas .........................................76 5.4 Accessing a Remedy for Human Rights Violations in Environmental Cases ............................80 5.4.1 Remedies under the Civil and Commercial Code .......................................................80 5.4.2 Remedies under the Criminal Code .........................................................................81 5.4.3 Remedies under the National Environmental Quality Act ............................................81 6. CONCERNS ARISING WITH RESPECT TO LABOUR RIGHTS ................................................ 83 6.1 Concerns Regarding Laws Governing Non-Citizen Migrant Labour ........................................84 6.1.1 Concerns about Remuneration and Benefits .............................................................84 6.1.2 Concerns Regarding the Restriction of Movement of Migrant Labourers ........................85 6.1.3 Lack of Access to Benefits for Seasonal Employees and Subcontracted