Port Authority of Thailand

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The idea of constructing a modern port at Khlong Toei on the Chao Phraya River dates to 1935 (BE 2478), when the Thai government established a committee to plan a new facility to replace existing, inadequate riverside facilities near the river mouth at Samut Prakan. The Cabinet's Minister of Economic Affairs was appointed as chairman of the planning committee to oversee the dredging of the Chao Phraya River channel and the development of modern port infrastructure.

In 1936 (BE 2479), the construction committee completed initial design surveys. A German professor was engaged to estimate construction costs, and the consulting firm Christiani & Nielsen was awarded the construction contract for approximately 20 million baht.

In 1938 (BE 2481), the government formally established the Bangkok Port Office (สำนักงานท่าเรือกรุงเทพ) and appointed Luang Preesiriviruk as its first director (1938–1943). Construction proceeded under a German consulting engineer, Neubolt, as lead technical advisor under the Ministry of Economic Affairs. Dredging of the Khlong Toei channel commenced during this period.

In 1940 (BE 2483), the government ordered one vessel from the Netherlands to assist with dredging operations. However, construction was disrupted and ultimately halted due to the outbreak of World War II. At that time, the Bangkok Port facility comprised only 1,500 metres of quay, four warehouse buildings (three-storey), one cold storage facility (three-storey), and three office buildings (single-storey).

After Thailand transitioned from absolute to constitutional monarchy, the government resumed development planning. In 1947 (BE 2490), Admiral Luang Yutseewithan was appointed as Director General of the Bangkok Port Office, introducing a more systematic operational approach under the Ministry of Transport.

In 1948 (BE 2491), Admiral Somjao Jotnayama (สุจิ จันทยมา) was appointed Director General and oversaw the post-war reconstruction of war-damaged buildings and additional construction.

In 1951, following the recommendation of a World Bank mission to Thailand, the government invited foreign experts to assess the economic situation in Bangkok and survey potential port construction sites on the Chao Phraya River. Following the recommendation that the river mouth at Samut Prakan be developed as the main port site, the government selected Khlong Toei as the preferred location—which remains the jurisdiction of the Port Authority of Thailand to this day.

In May 1951 (BE 2494), the Thai Parliament enacted the Port Authority of Thailand Act BE 2494, formally establishing the Port Authority of Thailand as a state enterprise under the Ministry of Transport. The act transferred all port operations from the former Bangkok Port Office to the new authority and conferred broad powers to manage, develop, and regulate port facilities and waterway services in service of national economic development.

Under Section 6 of the Act, PAT was empowered to: receive vessels and cargo; dredge and maintain navigation channels; control loading, unloading, and storage of cargo; borrow funds; establish subsidiaries and joint ventures; issue securities and bonds; set port tariffs and safety standards; and take other actions related to the advancement of port services for public and state benefit.

Since its founding, PAT has operated as a financially autonomous public enterprise, with 100% of its registered capital of 7,234.54 million baht (as of September 2024) held by the Ministry of Finance on behalf of the Thai state. PAT carries no outstanding debt.

Following its establishment, PAT operated nine berths at Bangkok Port capable of handling full container and general cargo vessels. During the 1960s and 1970s, growing containerization of world trade led to steadily increasing cargo volumes at Bangkok Port.

During fiscal years 2518–2520 (1975–1977), PAT constructed additional international berths to handle expanding container traffic. From 1977 onward, Bangkok Port became a significant hub for container exports, though its riverside location increasingly limited the size of vessels it could accommodate.

By the late 1970s, the growth of container shipping and the limited draught of the Chao Phraya River had constrained Bangkok Port's capacity, driving demand for a deep-sea alternative port.

In 1987, Bangkok Port (Klong Toey) received a visit from a naval task group of allied nations, comprising an Oberon-class diesel-electric attack submarine of the Royal Australian Navy, which arrived in company with the Royal New Zealand Navy frigate HMNZS Southland (F104).^[1] This event is considered a significant historical record in Thai naval strategy, as it demonstrated the navigability of the Chao Phraya River shipping channel. The Oberon-class submarine has a submerged displacement of over 2,400 tonnes and a draft of approximately 5.5 metres. The successful berthing of a submarine of this size at Klong Toey disproved the assumption that the inner Gulf of Thailand and the Chao Phraya River were too shallow for modern submarines to operate safely. It also reflects the effectiveness of the dredging operations and channel depth maintenance carried out by Bangkok Port at that time.

Beginning in the early 1960s, the Thai government identified Laem Chabang in Chonburi Province on the Gulf of Thailand as a suitable site for a deep-sea port. In 1988, the government commenced construction of Laem Chabang Port as part of a broader strategy to shift heavy industrial development outside Bangkok and capitalise on proximity to the Eastern Seaboard industrial zone.

Construction of the first phase was completed in late 1990, and Laem Chabang Port commenced full commercial operations in January 1991 (BE 2534). The port rapidly developed into Thailand's primary gateway for international container trade. By 1997, Laem Chabang had surpassed Bangkok Port to become the country's busiest seaport.

In 2000, the Port Authority of Thailand was formally reclassified from a government agency into a state corporation (รัฐวิสาหกิจ) under an amendment to the Port Authority of Thailand Act 1951, reinforcing its commercial operating mandate while retaining full state ownership.

PAT significantly expanded its geographic footprint in the early 2000s through the development of inland and coastal regional ports:

• On 25 March 2003, the Thai Cabinet approved PAT to operate Ranong Port as the country's main port on the Andaman Sea coast, providing a logistical link to India, Africa, and Europe via the Indian Ocean. Ranong Port commenced official commercial operations on 1 October 2003 (BE 2546). The port is not merely a transit terminal but supports regional cross-border trade and industrial investment.

• Chiang Saen Commercial Port (ท่าเรือพาณิชย์เชียงแสน) in Chiang Rai Province on the Mekong River commenced operations on 1 January 2004 (BE 2547) as a regional trading hub under a six-country cooperation framework involving China, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, and Thailand. Chiang Saen was designed to facilitate trade between Thailand and southern China, positioning Thailand as a hub for Mekong subregion logistics.

• Chiang Khong Port (ท่าเรือเชียงของ) also opened on 1 January 2004 to support cross-border trade across the Thai–Lao border along the upper Mekong.

On 1 April 2012 (BE 2555), a new, expanded Chiang Saen Commercial Port Phase 2 was established on 387 rai (approximately 619,200 m²) to replace the original Chiang Saen facility, and was formally designated a "Commercial Port" (ท่าเรือพาณิชย์). This enlarged port provides two warehouses and strengthened Thailand–China waterborne trade, serving as a key node in the Mekong sub-regional economic corridor.

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PAT is governed by a Board of Directors (คณะกรรมการการท่าเรือแห่งประเทศไทย) appointed in accordance with the Port Authority of Thailand Act. The Board is chaired by a representative nominated by the Ministry of Transport, with members drawn from relevant government ministries and independent experts.

Day-to-day management is led by the Director General (ผู้อำนวยการการท่าเรือแห่งประเทศไทย), who is the chief executive officer of the authority. Below the Director General, the organization is structured into three main operational lines and two supporting bodies.

Chairmen of the Board of Directors of the Port Authority of Thailand

No.	Name	Term of Office
1	Admiral Sindhu Kamolnavin	16 May 1951 – 6 Jul 1951
2	Vice Admiral Luang Polsintawanat	6 Jul 1951 – 19 Dec 1951
3	Vice Admiral Sunthorn Sunthornnavin	19 Dec 1951 – 1 Sep 1952
4	Rear Admiral Luang Mongkolyuttanavi	1 Sep 1952 – 13 Mar 1953
5	Phraya Komarakulmontri	13 Mar 1953 – 19 Jan 1955
6	Phraya Donavanikmontri	19 Jan 1955 – 10 Oct 1957
7	Admiral Luang Chamnan-atthayut	10 Oct 1957 – 16 May 1971
8	Admiral Prachum Dhammamokkhavesa	16 May 1971 – 24 Jan 1975
9	Admiral Aphai Sitakalin	15 Feb 1975 – 4 Jul 1979
10	Admiral Kawi Singha	17 Jul 1979 – 30 Sep 1980
11	Admiral Samut Sahanavin	1 Oct 1980 – 30 Sep 1981
12	Admiral Somboon Chuapibul	1 Oct 1981 – 30 Sep 1983
13	Admiral Prapat Chanthawirat	1 Oct 1983 – 30 Sep 1984
14	Admiral Nipon Sirithorn	1 Oct 1984 – 30 Sep 1986
15	Admiral Thada Ditbanjong	1 Oct 1986 – 30 Sep 1987
16	Admiral Prapat Krisanachan	1 Oct 1987 – 12 Feb 1991
17	Admiral Vichet Karunyavanij	12 Feb 1991 – 25 Jan 1994
18	Admiral Prachet Siridej	25 Jan 1994 – 30 Sep 1996
19	Admiral Wijit Chamnankarn	15 Oct 1996 – 7 Oct 1997
20	Mr. Sathien Wongwichien	7 Oct 1997 – 10 Apr 2000
21	General Viroj Sangsnit	11 Apr 2000 – 16 Oct 2000
22	Mr. Pratuk Simapichaicheth	31 Oct 2000 – 1 Apr 2001
23	Mr. Wichai Sangprapai	24 Apr 2001 – 9 Jul 2002
24	Mr. Wanchai Sarathulthat	10 Jul 2002 – 23 Dec 2005
25	Admiral Sathiraphan Keyanon	24 Jan 2006 – 15 Feb 2008
26	Mr. Manas Kampakdee	22 Apr 2008 – 26 Sep 2008
27	Mr. Chalor Kotcharat	14 Oct 2008 – 13 Oct 2011
28	Mr. Thawanrat On-sira	8 Nov 2011 – 16 Oct 2012
29	Police Lieutenant General Kamronwit Thoopkrachang	4 Dec 2012 – 30 Jun 2014
30	Admiral Apiwat Sriwattana	1 Jul 2014 – 30 Jun 2017
31	Mr. Surong Bulakul	18 Jul 2017 – 24 Jun 2018
32	Mr. Somsak Hommuang	11 Sep 2018 – 4 Aug 2019
33	Admiral Sophon Wattanamongkol	24 Dec 2019 – 23 Dec 2022
34	Mr. Parinya Sangsuwan	25 Apr 2023 – 1 Oct 2023
35	Mr. Chayatham Promsorn	3 Mar 2024 – 19 Aug 2025
36	Mr. Khundorn Ngamtura	2 Sep 2025 – 2 Dec 2025

PAT's organizational structure as of 2017 (updated 13 September BE 2560) comprises:

• Board of Directors (คณะกรรมการ กทท.)
• Director General (ผู้อำนวยการ กทท.)
  • Secretariat of the Board
  • Internal Risk Management and Control Office
  • Executive Division (กองกลาง, Legal, Communications, PR)
  • Audit Committee (คณะกรรมการตรวจสอบ)
  • HR & Corporate Services Line (สายบริหารทรัพยากรบุคคลและบรรษัทภิบาล)
    • HR Division; Medical & Health Office; Corporate Governance Office
  • Finance & Corporate Strategy Line (สายบริการการเงินและกลยุทธ์องค์กร)
    • Finance & Accounting Division; Corporate Strategy Division; Finance Analysis & Planning Office
  • Asset Management & Business Development Line (สายบริหารสินทรัพย์และพัฒนาธุรกิจ)
    • Business Development & Marketing Division; Asset Management Division; Regional Port Office
      • Regional Ports: Chiang Saen Commercial Port; Chiang Khong Port; Ranong Port
  • Technology & Engineering Division (สายวิศวกรรม)
  • Bangkok Port (ท่าเรือกรุงเทพ)
  • Laem Chabang Port (ท่าเรือแหลมฉบัง)
  • Audit Line (สายตรวจสอบ)

PAT is 100% owned by the Thai government through the Ministry of Finance. Its registered capital has been maintained at 7,234.54 million baht unchanged across FY2565–FY2567 (2022–2024). PAT carries no outstanding debt as of FY2567 (2024) and is required to remit a portion of its profits annually to the government.

Government Remittance by PAT (million baht)

Fiscal Year	Remittance (million baht)
FY2565 (2022)	2,610
FY2566 (2023)	7,245
FY2567 (2024)	5,855

As of September 2024 (BE 2567), PAT employed a total workforce of 4,541 authorized positions, of which 3,167 were filled (permanent staff), 1,213 were vacant, and 161 were seconded civil servants. The workforce is distributed across all port locations and headquarters functions.

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Bangkok Port (ท่าเรือกรุงเทพ), also known as Khlong Toei Port, is located in the Khlong Toei district of Bangkok on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River. It is Thailand's original modern commercial port and serves as a river port with direct access to Bangkok's business districts.

Although Bangkok Port has been partially superseded in container throughput by Laem Chabang, it remains strategically important for supporting SME trade, domestic commerce, and Bangkok's urban economy. In FY2023, Bangkok Port handled approximately 1.26 million TEUs.

Bangkok Port Annual Performance

Fiscal Year	Container Throughput (TEU)	Cargo Tonnage (million t)	Vessel Calls
FY2554 (2011)	1,449,533	18.68	2,991
FY2555 (2012)	1,275,224	17.89	3,123
FY2556 (2013)	1,495,988	21.21	3,353
FY2557 (2014)	1,518,613	21.42	3,191
FY2558 (2015)	1,558,763	21.85	3,267
FY2559 (2016)	1,505,507	21.05	3,096
FY2560 (2017)	1,497,919	22.21	3,008
FY2561 (2018)	1,497,444	22.05	3,266
FY2562 (2019)	1,451,131	21.48	3,803
FY2563 (2020)	1,435,065	21.15	3,822
FY2564 (2021)	1,437,848	21.19	4,170
FY2565 (2022)	1,277,118	18.67	4,549
FY2566 (2023)	1,259,370	18.54	3,937
FY2567 (2024)	1,273,986	19.02	4,165
FY2568 (2025)	1,276,263	18.92	4,463

PAT's vision for Bangkok Port emphasises its transformation into a multimodal transport and distribution hub, supported by:

• Development of a Multimodal Transport & Distribution Center (Dry Port) for inland connectivity
• An Automated Port development programme (2023–2034) aimed at introducing automated handling equipment and reducing truck turnaround times
• Integration with the S1 Highway expressway connection project to reduce truck congestion around the port
• Development of a Port Community System (PCS) as part of a Data Logistic Chain for digital trade facilitation

Laem Chabang Port (ท่าเรือแหลมฉบัง) is located in Sri Racha District, Chonburi Province in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) of Thailand, approximately 130 kilometres southeast of Bangkok on the Gulf of Thailand. It is the largest deep-sea commercial port in Thailand and one of Southeast Asia's most important container terminals.

Laem Chabang Port commenced operations in January 1991 and by 1997 had become Thailand's busiest seaport. It is currently ranked 17th globally in container throughput.

Laem Chabang Port Annual Performance

Fiscal Year	Container Throughput (TEU)	Cargo Tonnage (million t)	Vessel Calls
FY2554 (2011)	5,658,030	60.64	2,989
FY2555 (2012)	5,830,428	64.98	2,973
FY2556 (2013)	5,974,715	66.48	2,157
FY2557 (2014)	6,458,613	71.89	7,154
FY2558 (2015)	6,779,705	73.09	12,446
FY2559 (2016)	7,060,695	77.45	12,493
FY2560 (2017)	7,677,279	83.89	13,461
FY2561 (2018)	8,015,880	86.81	13,310
FY2562 (2019)	8,107,615	90.16	12,391
FY2563 (2020)	7,641,947	82.96	11,092
FY2564 (2021)	8,418,711	90.49	11,041
FY2565 (2022)	8,729,928	96.49	11,696
FY2566 (2023)	8,675,801	94.10	11,692
FY2567 (2024)	9,465,347	99.58	12,124
FY2568 (2025)	10,154,244	106.15	12,696

The Laem Chabang Port Phase 3 expansion is the largest infrastructure project in PAT's history, scheduled over 2019–2038 (BE 2562–2581).It aims to increase the port's total container handling capacity from the current 11.1 million TEU per year to 18.1 million TEU per year.

Phase 3 is being developed under a public–private partnership (PPP) framework. On 25 November 2021 (BE 2564), PAT signed a PPP concession agreement with GPC International Terminal, a consortium comprising:

• Gulf Energy Development plc (GULF) – 40% stake
• PTT Tank Terminal Company Limited (PTT TANK) – 30% stake
• CHEC Overseas Infrastructure Holding Pte. Ltd. (CHEC OVERSEA, a subsidiary of China Communications Construction Company) – 30% stake

The first berth (F1) is expected to open for service in 2028 (BE 2571), with a capacity of approximately 7 million TEU per year upon initial completion. The project is a cornerstone of the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) development plan and is intended to strengthen Thailand's logistics competitiveness against regional ports in Singapore, Port Klang, and Tanjung Pelepas.

Construction is divided into four sections:

• Section 1: Marine works and reclamation (contract value: 21,320 million baht)
• Section 2: Buildings, berths, road, and port infrastructure (contract value: 7,298 million baht)
• Section 3: Rail infrastructure and container handling equipment
• Section 4: Port technology systems and basic infrastructure

Chiang Saen Commercial Port (ท่าเรือพาณิชย์เชียงแสน) is located in Chiang Saen District, Chiang Rai Province on the Mekong River in northern Thailand. Opened on 1 January 2004, it was expanded significantly in April 2012 with a new facility on 387 rai (approximately 619,200 m²).

The port functions as a regional trade gateway under a cooperation framework involving six nations: Thailand, China, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam. It serves as a key node in the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) and the BIMSTEC regional connectivity network, primarily facilitating Thai–Chinese waterborne cargo and transit trade.

Chiang Khong Port (ท่าเรือเชียงของ) is located in Chiang Khong District, Chiang Rai Province, on the Thai side of the Mekong River opposite Huay Xai, Laos. It opened for commercial operations on 1 January 2004. The port supports cross-border trade between Thailand, Laos, China, and the broader Mekong sub-region, complementing the Chiang Saen Commercial Port.

Ranong Port (ท่าเรือระนอง) is located in Ranong Province on Thailand's Andaman Sea coast. It began operations under PAT on 1 October 2003 following Cabinet approval in March 2003. Ranong Port provides connectivity to trade routes to India, the Middle East, Africa, and Europe through the Indian Ocean and serves as a southern gateway supporting intermodal transport policy and maritime commerce in the BIMSTEC region.

PAT's ports collectively form Thailand's principal commercial maritime gateway. Container throughput is led by Laem Chabang Port, one of Southeast Asia's busiest container terminals, while Bangkok Port serves as a vital hub for general cargo and smaller container vessels. The following table presents PAT's combined historical container throughput from FY2554–2568 (2011–2025), based on official PAT fiscal year data.

PAT Combined Container Throughput (TEU) by Fiscal Year

Fiscal Year	Bangkok Port (ทกท.)	Laem Chabang Port (ทลฉ.)	PAT Total (กทท.)
FY2554 (2011)	1,449,533	5,658,030	7,107,563
FY2555 (2012)	1,275,224	5,830,428	7,105,652
FY2556 (2013)	1,495,988	5,974,715	7,470,703
FY2557 (2014)	1,518,613	6,458,613	7,977,226
FY2558 (2015)	1,558,763	6,779,705	8,338,468
FY2559 (2016)	1,505,507	7,060,695	8,566,202
FY2560 (2017)	1,497,919	7,677,279	9,175,198
FY2561 (2018)	1,497,444	8,015,880	9,513,324
FY2562 (2019)	1,451,131	8,107,615	9,558,746
FY2563 (2020)	1,435,065	7,641,947	9,077,012
FY2564 (2021)	1,437,848	8,418,711	9,856,559
FY2565 (2022)	1,277,118	8,729,928	10,007,046
FY2566 (2023)	1,259,370	8,675,801	9,935,171
FY2567 (2024)	1,273,986	9,465,347	10,739,333
FY2568 (2025)	1,276,263	10,154,244	11,430,507

PAT Financial Performance (million baht)

Fiscal Year	Revenue	Net Profit
FY2565 (2022)	—	—
FY2566 (2023)	—	—
FY2567 (2024)	17,224	7,648

FY2024 marked PAT's highest-ever revenue and profit since its founding in 1951. The three-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) from FY2022–FY2024 was 17.64%, representing an annual profit increase of approximately 1,029 million baht per year.

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PAT's current vision is: "To become a world-class port standard, together with excellent logistics services, for sustainable growth by 2030 (BE 2573)."

The five strategic missions (พันธกิจ) are:

1. Develop port services and infrastructure to international standards to support and drive national economic competitiveness
2. Develop towards becoming a hub for intermodal transport connecting national and regional cargo networks and logistics systems
3. Develop the utilisation of assets for commercial value creation and sustainable organizational growth
4. Develop into a high-performance organisation (HPO) to support excellent service delivery
5. Build trust and acceptance from all stakeholders and surrounding communities to ensure sustainable co-existence

PAT's organizational culture is built around the SMART values framework:

• S – Standard: Operating with integrity and international standards
• M – Mastery: Working with professional competence comparable to high-performance organisations
• A – Agility: Embracing change through innovation and adaptability
• R – Responsibility: Accountability to society, environment, and stakeholders
• T – Teamwork: Commitment to collaborative achievement

PAT is advancing a comprehensive digital transformation to modernise port operations across all facilities. Key initiatives include:

• Port Community System (PCS) – A port-wide data integration platform connecting all stakeholders (government agencies G2G, government-to-business G2B, and business-to-business B2B) through an e-Logistics platform to facilitate seamless trade documentation and logistics management.
• Automated Port at Bangkok Port (development period 2023–2034) – Introducing automated container handling equipment, autonomous vehicles, and real-time tracking systems to reduce vessel turnaround times and improve service efficiency.
• Data Logistic Chain – Integrating digital data across the entire logistics chain from origin to destination to reduce costs and transaction times for port users.

PAT has adopted an environmental sustainability strategy aligned with Thailand's carbon neutrality goals:

• In FY2024, PAT reduced carbon emissions by over 2,076 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent through operational improvements and energy efficiency measures.
• PAT was recognised by the Thailand Carbon Neutral Network (TCNN) and the Climate Action Leading Organization (CALO) for FY2024 as a leading organisation in carbon neutrality among Thai state enterprises.
• PAT achieved gold-level certification in environmental performance assessments during FY2024.
• PAT's long-term target is to become a Carbon Neutral Port aligned with national carbon neutrality goals, including installation of renewable energy systems and promotion of shore power for vessels.

PAT is studying the development of a Dry Port (inland container depot) at Khon Kaen in northeastern Thailand (FY2025–2029), to extend the port's logistics network into Thailand's interior and support seamless multimodal transport as part of the Ministry of Transport's integrated transport strategy.

PAT is a member of the International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH). It participates in regional port cooperation frameworks including:

• Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) – Six-country Mekong river port cooperation
• BIMSTEC – Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation
• ASEAN Maritime Transport cooperation framework

PAT has bilateral port cooperation agreements with neighbouring countries and is working to develop Ranong Port as Thailand's gateway to the BIMSTEC maritime network and to strengthen the Mekong River port corridors through Chiang Saen and Chiang Khong.