PAT mulls bid for Asean freight hubs

The Port Authority of Thailand (PAT) will compete in the bidding to build three freight stations worth 4.5 billion baht that will serve as Asean hubs to link freight transport between neighbouring countries.

PAT director Sutthinan Hatthawong said the agency will take part in bidding for the construction of three freight stations, to be held by the Land Transport Department.

The first station, valued at 1.3 billion baht, is in Khon Kaen. The station will connect land freight transport through railways and roads, starting from Khon Kaen, and passing through Saraburi to the Laem Chabang port in Chon Buri.

The second station, costing 1.2 billion baht in Nong Khai, will sit along the ThaiLao border to boost the economy along border areas. The station will handle cargo shipped along the Laos-Nong Khai-the Laem Chabang port route.

The third station is the Dan Sadao freight station in the southern province of Songkhla. The station, worth 1.9 billion baht, will serve as a freight depot where goods will be stored and distributed to neighbouring countries through Malaysia, the Bangkok port, also known as Klong Toey port, and the Laem Chabang port.

Lt Sutthinan said Transport Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith wanted the PAT to take part in the development of regional ports and local freight stations linking to other countries in Asean. “The agency is interested in bidding for freight stations both in self-operated and joint-investment situations to modernise freight transport,” he said.

Apart from these moves, the PAT also has made preparations to open bids to seek private companies to operate and help develop three regional ports for commercial purposes.

They are Chiang Khong and Chiang Saen ports in Chiang Rai and the Ranong port in Ranong province.

For the Chiang Khong port which covers a vast area, small private operators will be allowed to operate their businesses, such as warehouses, in the port. The Ranong port will be enhanced to a large-scale main freight station which will help support the energy industry, such as offshore oil drilling.

Lt Sutthinan said the PAT has assigned state agencies to study other possible projects that can help generate revenue for the port. The PAT director said the agency was also looking at a joint investment with a private operator who won the bidding for a freight depot worth 2.3 billion baht in Chiang Rai’s Chiang Khong district.