The government has been asked to construct a new deep seaport in the west coast of southern Thailand in Pak Bara, Langu district in Satun, to serve marine transport from the Middle East, Africa and South Asia, said Thanit Soraj, a Federation of Thai Industries vice-president. Chairing a public and private committee on deep seaport development in the western coast of southern Thailand, Mr Thanit said participants on Monday confirmed construction of the new seaport at Pak Bara because of its suitability compared to alternative locations, which were in Ranong and Phangnga.
Many southern provinces have become tourist destinations and a seaport could affect the tourism business.
The new seaport project was initiated during the Thaksin Shinawatra administration but was put on hold after the government was ousted in last year's coup.
Mr Thani said the seaport at Pak Bara would give impetus to an ambitious plan for a southern seaboard development similar to the Eastern Seaboard development project.The seaport at Pak Bara could be connected by means of a landbridge with Chana seaport in Songkhla. The port is expected to stimulate the South's economy, which could help reduce violence in the three southernmost provinces.
Mr Thanit said industries in the Eastern Seaboard area would be overcrowded in the next six years, so it is necessary to find another location for the new industries.
The seaport at Pak Bara requires investment of 2.6 billion baht to be develop between 2009 and 2019, and would be capable of handling cargo of 2.4 million TEU (twenty-foot equivalent container units) per year.
The new seaport would be 15 metres deep with a berth width of 750 metres to accommodate large vessels.
Once the seaport is completed, cargo shipments from the southern provinces, especially rubber, would not need to use Penang's seaport in Malaysia.
Mr Thanit said the selection of the seaport at Pak Bara would be proposed to Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont who chairs the National Logistics Development Committee on July 19 for approval.
Many southern provinces have become tourist destinations and a seaport could affect the tourism business.
The new seaport project was initiated during the Thaksin Shinawatra administration but was put on hold after the government was ousted in last year's coup.
Mr Thani said the seaport at Pak Bara would give impetus to an ambitious plan for a southern seaboard development similar to the Eastern Seaboard development project.The seaport at Pak Bara could be connected by means of a landbridge with Chana seaport in Songkhla. The port is expected to stimulate the South's economy, which could help reduce violence in the three southernmost provinces.
Mr Thanit said industries in the Eastern Seaboard area would be overcrowded in the next six years, so it is necessary to find another location for the new industries.
The seaport at Pak Bara requires investment of 2.6 billion baht to be develop between 2009 and 2019, and would be capable of handling cargo of 2.4 million TEU (twenty-foot equivalent container units) per year.
The new seaport would be 15 metres deep with a berth width of 750 metres to accommodate large vessels.
Once the seaport is completed, cargo shipments from the southern provinces, especially rubber, would not need to use Penang's seaport in Malaysia.
Mr Thanit said the selection of the seaport at Pak Bara would be proposed to Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont who chairs the National Logistics Development Committee on July 19 for approval.