CHUMPHON, July 2015 – The Marine Department has voiced its interest in building a new port in the southern province of Chumphon to boost the transport system.
Director-General of the Marine Department Chula Sukmanop explained a new port in Chumphon province would shorten the sea route between the East and the South. While the distance from Chumphon to Laem Chabang Port in the eastern province of Chonburi is about 700 kilometers by car, the sea route between the two cities is much shorter. Thus marine transport should be further promoted due to its cost-saving aspect.
According to Dr. Chula, if Chumphon has its own port, goods from India, the Middle East or Europe which are destined for Laem Chabang Port in the East can be shipped to Ranong Port on the Andaman Sea and then be transferred to the port in Chumphon on the Gulf of Thailand where the goods can be sent to Laem Chabang port far more easily. Transport of South-bound shipments from the eastern port will be much more convenient accordingly.
The idea came as the Marine Department chief and the National Legislative Assembly’s committee in charge of transport paid a visit to the southern provinces of Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chumphon and Ranong during July 4-5 to study the possibility of marine transport development there.
