Thailand Eyes Expanding its Largest Port to Meet Trade Boom

Thailand’s Port Authority is exploring a further expansion of Laem Chabang port, the nation’s biggest deep-sea gateway, to handle increasing trade of products from automobiles to electronics and petrochemicals.

“We’re already handling cargo volumes that exceed the port’s capacity, and we’ve received complaints about congestion and delays in moving goods,” Decha Peukpattanaruk, chairman of Port Authority of Thailand, said in an interview. “We need to plan for further expansion as we expect cargo volumes to increase significantly in the coming years.”

The state agency is studying a potential fourth phase of development at the Chon Buri province port to add yet more capacity beyond an ongoing third-phase expansion, he said. The agency is assessing the potential future size of the port, investment requirements and a timeline, he said.

The port, about 120 kilometers southeast of Bangkok, is a key harbor for cargo ships transporting manufactured goods from Thailand’s industrial heartland. It is a centerpiece of the Eastern Economic Corridor, where Thailand has attracted investment in industries including electric vehicles, electronics, data centers and other advanced manufacturing.

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