The cabinet has given the green light for the new Port Authority of Thailand (Pat) bill, allowing it to establish subsidiaries to carry out its port development plan, Deputy Transport Minister Manaporn Charoensri said yesterday.
Ms Manaporn said the bill is an amendment to the PAT Act (1951). The law will grant the PAT the ability to conduct various activities within its scope of objectives.
"The law amendment will allow the PAT to establish either limited or public limited companies, both locally and internationally, to promote port-related industries. This will be consistent with the Ministry of Transport's aim of strengthening and stabilising port development in Thailand," said Ms Manaporn.
As a result, the PAT needs to have subsidiaries that focus on specific management tasks, particularly in the development of Bangkok Port in the Klong Toey area and Laem Chabang Port in Chon Buri. The expansion of both ports will boost the country's gross domestic product (GDP) and increase people's incomes, she said.
Ms Manaporn said the law will also allow the PAT to invest, partner with other entities, or hold shares in limited or public limited corporations.
The PAT can carry out a variety of legal activities, including ownership, possession, property rights, and the formation of rights or legal transactions relating to property. Furthermore, the PAT will have the ability to charge fees for using its ports, services, or other activities within its jurisdiction.
At the same time, new measures will be implemented to ensure the safety and orderliness of the port and its services, as well as the management of public health and environmental quality in the area.
Moreover, the PAT will be authorised to issue bonds to support its operations, with the ability to lease or develop its real estate as needed while considering the public benefit, she said.
"This is because the PAT has a plan to develop the Klong Toey community to be a smart community and develop Bangkok Port to be a smart port, so the law must be amended," she said.
A source said earlier the law amendment would enable the PAT to develop a passenger cruise ship terminal at Bangkok Port to promote tourism. The government also hopes to use part of Bangkok Port as the location of an entertainment complex project.
Ms Manaporn said the entertainment complex project is one of the government's flagship projects and Bangkok Port is considered one of the more suitable areas.
However, the ministry must wait for opinions from all state agencies first, she said.
