CHANTHABURI, Thailand – Thailand is studying ways to better connect road, rail, water and air transport networks to support agricultural production, trade and logistics in the Eastern region, with a focus on improving links between Chanthaburi and Laem Chabang. Jiraroj Sukonrat, Director-General of the Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning (OTP), said the agency recently took members of the media to Chanthaburi to examine the area’s transport needs and how infrastructure networks can better match the province’s economic potential.
Chanthaburi plays an important role in agriculture, trade, tourism and freight transport in the Eastern region. Understanding conditions on the ground is therefore important when planning transport systems that can accommodate both passenger travel and the movement of goods.
The field visit forms part of the OTP’s study to develop a model for transport network development covering provinces in the Central and Southern regions and their connections with economic corridors under the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) framework. The study also covers Eastern provinces, including Chanthaburi.
The OTP has gathered information from government agencies, private-sector groups and businesses on agricultural and industrial products, including cargo volumes and transport methods, costs, destinations, as well as the potential and limitations of local infrastructure. The information will be used to develop proposals for transport infrastructure and facilities that can connect different modes more effectively.
Improving fruit transport from production areas
Chanthaburi is also important to the OTP’s logistics planning for agricultural products, particularly fruit. Under the MR-MAP project covering the Laem Chabang–Nong Khai route, the OTP is considering Container Yard (CY) facilities to handle fruit shipments from production areas in Chachoengsao, Chonburi, Rayong, Chanthaburi and Sa Kaeo.
The approach is intended to provide more transport options and improve the movement of agricultural products from farms and production centres to markets and other destinations.
The agency is also studying better connections between rail and water transport to support agricultural and industrial freight in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC). The goal is to create smoother connections between different transport modes, reduce difficulties when transferring cargo and improve the efficiency of the overall logistics system.
Planning a national intermodal logistics network
The OTP is also working on the Thailand Integrated Logistics and Intermodal Transport Development Plan with technical assistance from the United States Trade and Development Agency (USTDA).
The project is reviewing Thailand’s intermodal transport and logistics systems and developing proposals for a more integrated network linking different forms of transportation. The project is currently preparing an implementation plan and developing pilot logistics centre projects. The study includes potential locations, technical feasibility, equipment and facilities, regulations and possible operating models.
Smart transport systems for the EEC
In the Eastern region, the OTP is also developing intelligent traffic and transport systems for the EEC.
The agency is developing the ITS EEC Web Application to support traffic analysis and management, alongside an action plan for smart traffic and transport systems. The plan calls for measures at at least 24 locations to help ease traffic problems by fiscal 2027. During fiscal 2026, work has already been carried out at eight locations, including four in Pattaya and four in Rayong.
The OTP has also prepared a 2026 Transport Action Plan to accelerate key transport and logistics projects under the country’s first Transport and Logistics Action Plan for 2023–2027 and second plan for 2028–2035. The action plan contains 34 projects with a combined investment framework of 1.318 trillion baht, providing a framework for advancing major projects under the Ministry of Transport.
The Chanthaburi field visit was intended to demonstrate how transport planning must begin with an understanding of local conditions before individual infrastructure projects are connected into wider regional and national networks. The OTP says its broader objective is to connect communities, economic activity, people and goods through a transport network capable of supporting economic growth, improving logistics efficiency and strengthening connections between regions in a sustainable way.
