Bangkok Port land-use plan gets new look

The Port Authority of Thailand (PAT) has reviewed its land-use plan for development of Bangkok Port for shipping and commercial purposes after it received a cool reception from businesspeople.

The state enterprise hired Chotichinda Mouchel Consultants Co and Global Maritime and Port Services last month to do a feasibility study on the port plan. The study will take 300 days to complete. It will focus on business orientation, not construction.

For the first three months, the study will concentrate on concerns about a 123-rai (19.7-hectare) area that is already congested, with a number of high-rise buildings.

The previous study was carried out in 2008.

Deputy Transport Minister Prasert Chanruangthong said he assigned the PAT to develop the land for maximum benefit. This includes creating economic value, promoting tourism and helping people at the same time.

Currently, the land covers 2,353 rai and is used for both shopping and commercial purposes. It has a lot of potential for business because of its riverside location stretching for 2-3 kilometres.

Prasert is considering whether to downsize Bangkok Port and put more emphasis on Laem Chabang Port instead. At present, Bangkok Port has capacity of 1.3 million twenty-foot-equivalent units (TEU).

Previously, PAT had a plan to set up a maritime centre, but its development subcommittee decided this would get little support from businesspeople. The land would be better utilised for office buildings or rentals.