The Port Authority of Thailand (PAT) recently hosted a forum titled "Engineering Feasibility, Economics, Finance, and Environmental Impact Studies for Distribution Centre, Office Building, and Bangkok Port Support Area," aimed at enhancing its competitive capacity as the key national distribution centre. Thawisak Anakkhaphan, Advisor to Manaporn Charoensri, Minister of Transport, and Suttipot Thawornphisankasem, Advisor to the Minister of Transport, participated in the event's discussions, focusing on "Distribution Centre Development and New Business in Bangkok Port" to boost competitiveness and transform into a Smart & Green Port.
Held at the Carlton Hotel Bangkok Sukhumvit, the event was presided over by Kriengkrai Chaisiriwongsuk, the event chairman and director of the Port Authority of Thailand, along with Lt. JG. Poom Sangkham, Bangkok Port Director; Apiseta Pongsuwan, Assistant Director General (Financial Management and Corporate Strategy); Thamsin Sribangpleenoi, Deputy Managing Director of Bangkok Port; PAT executive board directors and staff; public and private sector representatives; shareholders; and media.
The collaborative project between PAT and Burapha University aims to study economic and marketing factors that support Bangkok Port as a transportation and logistics hub. Additionally, the project highlights new business opportunities aligned with PAT's area development to facilitate economic growth in the Bangkok Metropolitan Region. It also addresses traffic congestion, GHG emissions reduction, environmental impacts, competitive enhancement, trade added values, and national investment for sustainable development.
Expert keynote speakers from the transportation and logistics sector joined the discussion, including Phavina Assawamaneekul, Acting Policy and Planning Advisor at the Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council (Public Sector Representative); Dr. Piyanuch Samrit, President of the Thai Freight and Logistics Association (Product and Service Provider Representative); Kongrit Chantrik, Executive Director of the Thai National Shippers' Council (Shipper Users Representative); and Captain Dr. Charlermwut Tansuwan, Director of the Merchant Marine Training Centre (Academic Sector Representative).
The PAT Director emphasised that "Bangkok Port Development," transitioning into the port of the future, aligns with PAT's vision to become the main gateway for trade and transportation in the region with world-class service standards, or a "World Class Port." The vision includes the concepts of 3T (Transshipment, Transit, Traffic) and 2D (Digitisation, Decarbonisation) as management guidelines.
One of the key initiatives at Bangkok Port is the Distribution Centre (DC) Development, which aims to increase operational capacity, enhance competitiveness, and reduce GDP logistics costs. The projects under this initiative include Smart Port Development with automation systems, the Expressway connection project S1 (At Narong-Bang Na) to address traffic congestion, and the Bangkok Port Distribution Centre project. These projects encompass a 138-rai (220,800 sq. m.) customs fence area with facilities such as a Free Zone, Cold Chain Warehouse, E-Commerce Fulfilment Centre, Last-Mile Delivery, Value Added Services, and Cross-Border E-Commerce. Future development phases include high-rise warehouses, transshipment and multimodal transportation centres, a Truck Terminal area, and One Stop Services (OSS) to meet emerging demands among users.
