Bangkok: The Land Transport Federation of Thailand is gearing up for a crucial meeting on June 19 to address the severe traffic congestion at Laem Chabang Port. This meeting aims to formulate a proposal for the government, seeking solutions to alleviate the pressing issue before it exacerbates further.
According to Thai News Agency, the urgency of the situation was highlighted by the Thai National Shippers' Council (TNSC), which emphasized the need for immediate government intervention. Exporters are urging the government to resolve the congestion issue at Laem Chabang Port ahead of the impending increase in freight rates slated for July 1, 2025. The expected hike of 3,000-5,000 baht per trip could potentially inflate exporters' costs by up to 20 billion baht annually if the issue remains unaddressed.
Dr. Thongyu Kongkhan, President of the Land Transport Federation of Thailand, informed Thai News Agency that the federation has reached out to several key agencies, including the TNSC, the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), and the Thai Chamber of Commerce, to discuss the longstanding traffic crisis at the port. Trucks delivering goods to Laem Chabang Port currently face delays of 10-20 hours per trip, impacting transport operators significantly. The main concerns include drivers' health issues, inability to maintain continuous work schedules, and the backlog of export containers.
Starting July 1, importers and exporters will face increased parking fees, with charges ranging from 3,000 baht for delays over three hours to 5,000 baht for delays extending beyond eight hours. The Land Transport Federation has previously alerted the government to this issue, yet resolutions have been elusive. On June 4, the federation submitted a formal request to Mr. Suriya Juangroongruangkit, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport, urging the Ministry of Transport to implement effective measures. The federation's upcoming executive committee meeting on June 19 aims to solidify a resolution for governmental consideration, underlining the critical nature of the problem.