The Transport Ministry will set up a feasibility study for the relocation of the 32-rai Bangkok Port in Klong Toey district, with parts of the site to be turned into a public park, Deputy Minister Manaporn Charoensri said on Tuesday.
Ms Manaporn, in her capacity as the person overseeing the operations of the Port Authority of Thailand (PAT), said Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin proposed during the cabinet meeting on April 2 a partial relocation of Klong Toey port to Laem Chabang Port in Chon Buri. A committee to study the plan will be set up as per his order.
There are various concerns to be considered including the remaining lease agreements and employment contracts, Ms Manaporn said citing an initial survey conducted by the PAT.
Regarding concerns about the possible impact on industrial factories and oil refineries in the area, Ms Manaporn said the entire port would not be relocated. She said Mr Srettha proposed ways of maximising the use of any leftover space or areas that have been encroached upon by the community to ease traffic congestion in the area. Some of the space may be developed into a public park, she added.
The premier said moving parts of the port to Laem Chabang Port could be better in terms of development, Ms Manaporn said, explaining that Bangkok Port faces certain restrictions as it not a deep-sea port. As such, moving some parts to Laem Chabang would be more practical, she noted.
Mr Srettha also suggested the ministry study the possibility of developing the port as a tourism port, she said.
According to PAT director-general Kriangkrai Chaisiriwongsuk, a master plan for the port's development aims to upgrade it to a green port by improving nearby communities and the residents' quality of life while turning the port into a tourist pier that is complete with logistics transportation services.