On April 4, a significant step was taken towards relocating the Bangkok Port from its current site in the Klong Toey district, adjacent to the Chao Phraya River. The 32-rai facility is set to be moved as part of a government initiative aimed at repurposing the area for the public’s benefit. This decision was detailed in a letter from Thawatchai Chanpaisansil, adviser to the Cabinet Secretariat, addressing multiple government bodies, following a Cabinet resolution to shift the port outside Bangkok.
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin had initially proposed the port’s relocation during a Cabinet meeting on April 2, highlighting the potential improvements it could bring to the living conditions in Klong Toey and the broader Bangkok community. The relocation is expected to mitigate the dust pollution associated with the heavy truck traffic frequenting the port.
The government has instructed the Ministry of Transport, in coordination with the Port Authority of Thailand (PAT) and other agencies, to conduct a swift feasibility study for this relocation, which will include moving essential facilities like depots and oil storage.
Officials are now tasked with formulating a comprehensive development plan post-relocation, aimed at addressing issues such as slum rehabilitation, traffic congestion, and environmental pollution.
Prime Minister Srettha is committed to enhancing the quality of life in the Klong Toey area by addressing the environmental and infrastructural challenges posed by the port’s current location. Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt, who discussed this move with the Prime Minister in February, supports the initiative. The plan includes transferring the port’s operations to the Laem Chabang deep-sea port in Chon Buri, with aspirations to convert the current port area into a green space, thereby reducing air pollution and benefiting city residents, as reported by the Bangkok Post.