Transport
Minister Phiphat Announces Plans to Fully Close Khlong Toei Port
Thailand's Minister of Labour has confirmed intentions to phase out operations at Bangkok Port (Khlong Toei) to prioritize Laem Chabang as the nation's primary maritime hub.
According to a report by Thai Post on September 18, 2026, Minister of Labour Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn has confirmed plans to fully close the Bangkok Port, commonly known as Khlong Toei Port. The government intends to transition maritime logistics operations away from the capital, aiming to establish Laem Chabang Port in Chonburi as the definitive hub for Thailand’s shipping industry.
For residents and travelers, this shift represents a significant change in urban planning and logistics for the Bangkok metropolitan area. Khlong Toei Port has long been a central fixture of the city's industrial landscape. The relocation of these activities is expected to alter traffic patterns and industrial activity in the surrounding districts.
While the Minister has confirmed the intent to reduce the role of the Bangkok Port to zero, specific timelines for the closure and the transition process for existing port employees and logistics companies remain to be confirmed. Stakeholders are awaiting further details regarding the official schedule for this transition and how the land currently occupied by the port will be repurposed in the future. As of now, the announcement serves as a policy directive aimed at centralizing maritime trade at the more modern Laem Chabang facility.