Ranong: “Ranong-Chittagong” connects Thailand to BIMSTEC: Thai-Bangladesh logistics cooperation creates new opportunities for the Thai economy to reach a giant market of 1,800 million people.
According to Thai News Agency, Mrs. Nalinee Taveesin, President of the Thai Trade Representative, and Mrs. Manoporn Charoensri, Deputy Minister of Transport, jointly chaired a press conference on the progress of promoting a new shipping route ‘Ranong-Chittagong’, which is a logistics cooperation between Thailand and the People’s Republic of Bangladesh. The press conference was attended by HE Mr. Faiyaz Murshid Kazi, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh to Thailand, Mr. Kriangkrai Chaisiriwongsuk, Director of the Port Authority of Thailand, and Ms. Pojjana Phaniangwet, Honorary Consul of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh (Chonburi).
Mrs. Nalinee Taveesin revealed that this cooperation started in July 2024 according to the policy of the government under the leadership of Prime Minister Settha Taveesin and has been further developed in a tangible way in the government of Prime Minister Paethongtarn Shinawatra. She was assigned to lead a group of Thai businessmen to visit Bangladesh officially to expand trade opportunities and build a logistics network on the Andaman coast. During that visit, she discussed with the Prime Minister of Bangladesh and the Chairman of the Chittagong Port Authority, where both parties agreed to establish a direct shipping route from Ranong Port in Thailand to Chittagong Port in Bangladesh. This route avoids the Strait of Malacca and the port of Singapore, reducing transportation time from 7-15 days to only 3-5 days, helping to reduce costs, and increasing the competitiveness of Thai entrepreneurs in the Bangladeshi market with a population of over 170 million people.
After the visit, Ms. Nalinee invited the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh to Thailand and the Honorary Consul of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh (Chonburi) to discuss with representatives of the Ministry of Transport and the Port Authority of Thailand to promote close cooperation between Thai and Bangladeshi agencies, especially in driving the elevation of Ranong Port to become the country’s western trade gateway.
Ms. Nalinee also emphasized that the Ranong-Chittagong link is not just about connecting ports, but also about connecting economies to opportunities and connecting Thailand to the future of the region for sustainable growth of all sectors, including the government, private sector, and Thai people.
Ms. Manop Charoensri, Deputy Minister of Transport, stated that in line with the government and Ministry of Transport’s policy to upgrade pier services to meet international standards, a workshop (Joint Working Group Meeting) was organized under the MOU between the Port Authority of Thailand (Ranong Port) and Chittagong Port to drive cooperation in transportation between the two countries. The focus is on reducing logistics costs, increasing the potential of Ranong Port, and preparing to become a logistics hub in the future.
In 2024, Ranong Port had a total cargo volume of 324,933 tons, an increase of 251% from the previous year, showing a tendency for continuous expansion. The Port Authority of Thailand is accelerating infrastructure development and upgrading the quality of Ranong Port services to align with the new economic direction, especially along the Andaman coast.
HE Mr. Faiyaz Murshid Kazi, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, expressed his delight at the progress of cooperation between Thailand and Bangladesh and confirmed that the Bangladeshi government is ready to support and facilitate every step to make this new shipping route tangible and sustainable.
Ms. Pochana Phaniangwet added that this collaboration is not only opening the door to Bangladesh but is the first step towards connecting with the BIMSTEC group, which has a combined population of over 1.8 billion people, presenting new opportunities for Thai entrepreneurs in various fields.
Mr. Kriangkrai Chaisiriwongsuk, Director of the Port Authority of Thailand, stated that the cooperation between Ranong Port and Chittagong Port is progressing through the establishment of a joint working group. This group will be an important mechanism to drive and monitor operations continuously. The Port Authority also plans to develop the infrastructure of Ranong Port in many aspects to support the increasing volume of goods, by procuring additional labor-saving tools, improving the warehouse system, and developing a more modern and efficient logistics network to support long-term growth.