"Phiphat" inspects ICD Lat Krabang and Rom Klao terminal, orders urgent action to resolve accumulated traffic jams, build a connecting ramp to M7, and urges SRT to push PPP projects to shift container transport to rail, cutting Thai logistics costs and boosting competitiveness. Tags: [ICD Lat Krabang, traffic congestion, logistics, infrastructure, PPP, SRT, M7 Motorway]
Mr. Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport, along with senior officials from related agencies, visited and monitored operations at the Lat Krabang Inland Container Depot (ICD) and Rom Klao freight terminal to expedite resolving long-standing infrastructure bottlenecks and traffic buildup. He ordered the integration of transport systems—roads, rails, and ports—for seamless connectivity. Tags: [Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, transport ministry, ICD Lat Krabang, Rom Klao terminal, infrastructure, traffic management]
Mr. Phiphat stated that ICD Lat Krabang and Rom Klao freight terminal are strategic logistics hubs for Bangkok and the Eastern region. Solutions must consider the entire system—from trucks entering the area, waiting times, rail transport, to Laem Chabang port—to reduce costs for operators and lessen traffic impact on the public. Tags: [logistics strategy, ICD Lat Krabang, Rom Klao terminal, Laem Chabang port, traffic impact, cost reduction]
Rom Klao freight terminal, managed by the Department of Land Transport, serves as a resting and transfer point for large trucks to pick up, deliver, and transfer goods before redistribution via smaller vehicles into urban areas. This reduces large truck traffic entering Bangkok and improves goods collection and distribution efficiency. The terminal covers approximately 225 rai, including loading docks, warehouses, office buildings, accommodations, and operator activity areas. Currently, about 75% of loading dock space and 72% of warehouse space are utilized.Tags: [Rom Klao terminal, freight transport, truck logistics, warehouse utilization, Bangkok traffic]
Mr. Phiphat directed the Department of Land Transport to accelerate upgrading the terminal area and services, focusing on roads, safety, vehicle entry-exit monitoring, waiting areas, and maximizing space use. He also tasked them with developing revenue management methods to fund maintenance and development, enabling competition with private truck terminals and reducing reliance on government budgets.Tags: [Rom Klao terminal, service improvement, revenue management, public-private competition]
Meanwhile, a major recurring issue from operators is the ICD and Rom Klao terminal entry and exit routes, especially for trucks heading towards Chonburi. Currently, trucks must first travel into Bangkok and make a U-turn, causing vehicle accumulation and traffic congestion on Motorway M7.Tags: [traffic congestion, ICD Lat Krabang, Rom Klao terminal, M7 Motorway, truck routes]
The Department of Highways is constructing a ramp directly connecting to M7 towards Chonburi, with the contract starting on 1 August 2026 and scheduled completion on 28 March 2027. Analysis estimates this will increase vehicle capacity from about 930 to 1,194 vehicles per hour and significantly reduce average inbound vehicle time.Tags: [Department of Highways, M7 Motorway, ramp construction, traffic capacity]
Mr. Phiphat emphasized that building a single ramp is insufficient. He instructed the Department of Highways, SRT, Department of Land Transport, and the Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning (OTP) to jointly organize a comprehensive traffic system including entrances, exits, U-turn points, waiting areas, and internal vehicle circulation. This aims for smooth truck access from all directions and to prevent internal bottlenecks from recurring on M7.Tags: [traffic management, inter-agency coordination, M7 Motorway, truck flow]
Regarding rail transport, Mr. Phiphat received reports from SRT showing that container transport on the ICD Lat Krabang–Laem Chabang rail route has steadily increased from 386,763 TEUs in fiscal year 2021 to 497,805 TEUs in fiscal year 2025. As of 31 August 2026 (11 months into fiscal year 2026), cumulative volume reached 436,598 TEUs.Tags: [rail container transport, ICD Lat Krabang, Laem Chabang, SRT statistics]
Since ICD Lat Krabang commenced operations on 9 April 1996, total container transport via rail and road has reached 33,962,824 TEUs—10,612,940 TEUs by rail and 23,349,884 TEUs by road. There have been 203,327 train trips generating accumulated freight revenue of 11,260.08 million baht and concession income of 11,194.23 million baht, underscoring ICD Lat Krabang's vital role as essential logistics infrastructure for the country.Tags: [ICD Lat Krabang, container volume, rail and road transport, revenue, logistics infrastructure]
Furthermore, container transport via the Single Rail Transfer Operator (SRTO) system in fiscal year 2026 (October 2025 to July 2026) totaled 483,350 TEUs, exceeding the target of 416,667 TEUs by 16%. The full fiscal year is projected at approximately 566,912 TEUs, surpassing the target by 13.4%.Tags: [SRTO system, rail container transport, performance targets, logistics growth]
Mr. Phiphat noted that these figures demonstrate real demand for rail transport. The next challenge is enhancing system capacity, including area readiness, equipment, train operations, loading/unloading, and port connectivity, to make rail transport a faster, punctual, and more cost-competitive option.Tags: [rail system capacity, logistics efficiency, port connectivity]
Simultaneously, Mr. Phiphat ordered urgent resolution of longstanding ICD management issues. The previous concession for all six stations expired in 2011, and the process to select new private operators has dragged on for years. He instructed SRT to expedite the public-private partnership (PPP) project under the law to reach a prompt resolution.Tags: [ICD concession, PPP project, SRT, management issues]
Currently, SRT is seeking approval for the project study report and principles from the Ministry of Transport. Following the Cabinet's acknowledgment of the study report on 17 February 2026, related agencies are to proceed according to PPP law. Afterward, negotiations on investment proposals, contract drafting and review, Cabinet approval of selection results and draft contracts, and contract signing will follow. SRT aims to complete this process by July 2027.Tags: [PPP process, SRT, government approval, contract negotiation]
The PPP agreement will last 20 years, with private investors funding approximately 252.696 million baht to renovate central areas and about 927.140 million baht to procure container handling equipment (RMG cranes), totaling an initial investment of around 1,179 million baht. SRT expects the net present value of concession revenue over 20 years to be about 3,819 million baht, with a requirement that at least 50% of container transport annually uses rail to shift containers from road to rail.Tags: [PPP investment, ICD renovation, container handling equipment, concession revenue, rail transport targets]
Mr. Phiphat emphasized that long-standing issues require clear solutions. Operators must see improvements in smoother vehicle entry and exit, reduced waiting times, lower costs, and reliable transport planning. Meanwhile, the rail system must handle greater volumes and connect efficiently with ports.Tags: [logistics improvements, rail capacity, operator benefits, transport planning]
“We must ensure all points are connected. Trucks entering the area should not face congestion; containers must be quickly transferred to rail; trains must run on time and reach ports efficiently. Reducing time and costs will enhance operator competitiveness and benefit the public by lowering truck traffic and road congestion,” Mr. Phiphat said.Tags: [logistics integration, efficiency, competitiveness, public benefit]
Mr. Phiphat assigned all agencies to jointly develop operational frameworks and timelines covering improvements to M7 entry and exit, Rom Klao freight terminal upgrades, truck regulation, ICD PPP acceleration, rail transport efficiency, and Laem Chabang port connectivity. Progress will be monitored to turn longstanding problems into tangible results and elevate ICD Lat Krabang to truly meet operator, economic, and public needs.Tags: [inter-agency coordination, infrastructure planning, logistics development, project monitoring]
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