"Sanphet" supports the Prime Minister's policy to push Ranong Port development, connecting to Chumphon, and swiftly resolving the Missing Link by linking rail, road, and port into a comprehensive logistics system.
Mr. Sanphet Boonyamanee, Deputy Minister of Transport, gave an interview regarding Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul, who stated that the government will expedite development of the deep-sea port on the west coast at Ranong Province, linking it to Chumphon Province, while addressing infrastructure connectivity gaps known as the Missing Link in both rail and road systems, alongside studying a land bridge project.
Mr. Sanphet said that this approach aligns with the Ministry of Transport's ongoing efforts, which have begun concrete development of Ranong Port after his site visit on 12 June, followed by meetings with Ranong provincial executives, the Port Authority of Thailand management, business associations, private sector representatives, and relevant local agencies.
From discussions, all parties agreed Ranong Port has the potential to become the Andaman-side trade gateway, linking Thailand to India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, BIMSTEC countries, as well as the Middle East, Africa, and Europe. However, development must be comprehensive—covering the port itself, the hinterland, the shipping channel, and the connecting road and rail networks.
"The Prime Minister has clearly directed that existing infrastructure must be connected and fully functional. Ranong Port has a strategic location and commercial opportunity, but we must ensure easy vessel access, fast cargo handling, sufficient space, and fully connected road and rail systems to the port,"Mr. Sanphet said.
To enhance port efficiency, the Port Authority of Thailand is procuring additional cargo cranes, which are key to reducing cargo handling time, increasing service frequency, and building confidence among shipping lines and operators. The development plan also includes upgrading multipurpose and container berths, installing cranes for cargo lifting, and expanding container yards and necessary facilities.
At the same time, efforts will focus on organizing and optimizing the use of the port's hinterland to support container yards, warehouses, truck parking, bonded zones, and logistics activities, as this area is critical for smooth receipt, storage, staging, and distribution of goods without congestion or truck buildup at the port entrance.
Regarding the approximately 28-kilometer shipping channel leading to Ranong Port, coordination with the Marine Department and relevant agencies will be made to plan dredging and maintenance to keep the channel uniformly deep, allowing safe and convenient passage for cargo vessels and reducing limitations for large ships.
Furthermore, the Ministry of Transport will expedite consideration of upgrading and expanding Highway 4 between Chumphon and Ranong, as well as developing Ranong and Chumphon bypass roads to resolve bottlenecks, shorten truck travel times, and improve freight transport efficiency between the port and economic zones.
Mr. Sanphet added, The critical Missing Link includes the rail system, as currently, rail freight ends at Saphli Station in Chumphon Province, requiring a transfer to trucks for the approximately 110-kilometer journey to Ranong Port. Therefore, relevant agencies are urged to urgently study extending the railway line from Pathio District in Chumphon directly to Ranong Port.
Connecting rail to the port will reduce cargo transfer steps, lower costs and transport times, decrease truck traffic on roads, and enable goods from central, eastern, and other southern regions to seamlessly and rapidly access the Indian Ocean.
"Development of Ranong Port must proceed in tandem across the shipping channel, berths, cargo cranes, hinterland, roads, and rail. When all components are linked, Ranong Port can fully serve as the Andaman trade gateway. The Ministry of Transport is ready to implement the Prime Minister’s policy and coordinate with all agencies to ensure tangible results, creating economic opportunities and upgrading the country’s logistics system in the long term," Mr. Sanphet said.
Read " Thairath Newspaper Column " all here