A proposed feasibility study supporting the integration of social and child rights standards into Thailand’s public construction procurement systems.
Feasibility Study for Integrating Social Specifications into Thai Public Construction Procurement and Regulatory Frameworks (Phase II)
Proposed Project | Trend Nova World
Project Overview
This proposed feasibility study supports Phase II of an initiative aimed at integrating social specifications and child rights protections into Thailand’s public construction procurement and regulatory frameworks. The study has been submitted by Trend Nova World (Private) Limited to support Baan Dek Foundation (BDF) in partnership with Kindernothilfe e.V. (KNH), as a critical prerequisite for advancing systemic reforms at the national level.
The assignment builds upon the successful implementation of Phase I, which demonstrated that structured social assessment tools can significantly improve living conditions for migrant workers and children residing in construction camps. Phase II shifts the focus from pilot-level interventions to institutional and policy-level integration, ensuring that social safeguards are embedded within public procurement systems and aligned with Thailand’s national and international human rights commitments.
Strategic Context and Rationale
Thailand’s construction sector plays a central role in national development and urban growth, while remaining heavily dependent on migrant labor from neighboring countries. Migrant workers and their families particularly children living in temporary construction camps face persistent vulnerabilities, including unsafe living conditions, limited access to education and healthcare, and heightened exposure to exploitation and abuse.
Despite the existence of protective legislation, including the Child Protection Act and labor regulations applicable to all persons within Thailand, enforcement gaps persist for migrant communities. Children in construction camps are disproportionately excluded from formal education and essential services, reinforcing intergenerational cycles of poverty and marginalization.
At the policy level, Thailand has demonstrated commitment through its National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights (NAP-BHR), which emphasizes the state duty to protect against business-related human rights abuses and calls for stronger alignment with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) and Child Rights and Business Principles (CRBP). However, public procurement regulations remain an underutilized leverage point for translating these commitments into enforceable practice.
This feasibility study is designed to assess how social specifications including child protection, labor standards, and community welfare requirements can be systematically integrated into public construction procurement processes, creating scalable and enforceable pathways for impact.
Purpose and Objectives
The primary purpose of the feasibility study is to determine the technical, institutional, political, and operational viability of advancing Phase II of the initiative. The study will generate evidence-based recommendations to refine the project’s Theory of Change, strengthen public–private collaboration, and support alignment between procurement systems and human rights obligations.
Key objectives include:
- Assessing the readiness of Thailand’s procurement and regulatory frameworks to integrate social specifications
- Identifying policy entry points and institutional responsibilities across government agencies
- Evaluating risks, incentives, and power dynamics within construction supply chains
- Informing the design of monitoring and accountability mechanisms embedded within public systems
- Strengthening sustainability and scalability of child rights protections within the construction sector
Technical Approach and Methodology
Trend Nova World proposes a rigorous mixed-methods approach, combining system-level analysis with participatory research and political economy insights. The methodology aligns with international standards while remaining grounded in Thai institutional and socio-cultural contexts.
1. Desk Review and System Mapping
A comprehensive review will map the legal, policy, and institutional landscape governing public procurement, labor rights, migration, and child protection. This includes national legislation, regulatory frameworks, and international commitments relevant to business and human rights.
The analysis will identify:
- Gaps between policy commitments and implementation
- Entry points within procurement cycles for social specifications
- Institutional mandates and coordination challenges
- Incentive structures within multi-tier construction supply chains
Light political economy analysis will be applied to understand stakeholder interests, power relations, and potential resistance to reform.
2. Qualitative Stakeholder Engagement
Primary data collection will validate desk findings and capture lived realities across the construction ecosystem. This includes:
- Key informant interviews with government agencies, construction firms, civil society organizations, and subject-matter experts
- Focus group discussions with migrant workers and parents residing in construction camps
- Participatory scenario testing to assess alternative implementation pathways
All engagement will follow strict ethical standards, including child safeguarding protocols, informed consent, and confidentiality.
3. Validation and Analytical Framework
Findings will be refined through validation workshops with project partners and key stakeholders. The analysis will apply OECD-DAC evaluation criteria to assess relevance, effectiveness, sustainability, and institutional feasibility.
The study will also assess organizational capacities required for Phase II implementation, including advocacy, coordination, and monitoring functions.
Risk Analysis and Mitigation
The study will identify and assess potential risks, including:
- Political and institutional resistance to mandatory social specifications
- Limited access to construction camps or sensitive data
- Fragmentation within subcontracting chains
Mitigation strategies include leveraging existing stakeholder networks, adopting flexible engagement modalities, and prioritizing anonymized and participatory data collection methods.
Work Plan and Implementation Timeline
The feasibility study is designed as a time-bound, phased engagement, encompassing preparation, data collection, analysis, validation, and reporting. Activities will be sequenced to ensure efficiency, iterative learning, and stakeholder ownership throughout the process.
Deliverables will include:
- An inception report with refined methodology
- Analytical briefs by thematic area
- A comprehensive feasibility study report
- A concise decision brief to inform Phase II design and funding considerations
Team Composition and Institutional Capacity
Trend Nova World will deploy a multidisciplinary team combining international expertise with local contextual knowledge. The team brings extensive experience in:
- Business and human rights
- Child protection and education systems
- Public procurement and value chain analysis
- Monitoring, evaluation, and learning
Local partnerships with Thai civil society actors will ensure linguistic access, cultural sensitivity, and ethical engagement with migrant communities. Gender balance and child rights expertise are embedded across the team structure.
Expected Outcomes and Value Addition
The feasibility study is expected to:
- Provide a clear, evidence-based pathway for integrating social specifications into public procurement
- Strengthen alignment between procurement practices and Thailand’s human rights commitments
- Enhance protection mechanisms for migrant workers and children in construction settings
- Support scalable, system-level reform with long-term sustainability
- Inform donor and government decision-making for Phase II implementation
Project Status
This initiative has been formally submitted as a proposed feasibility study and is currently positioned within Trend Nova World’s Project Pipeline. It reflects the organization’s commitment to advancing rights-based, system-level solutions that bridge policy, practice, and human impact.
