Bribery scandal sparks crackdown at Laem Chabang Port
Thailand’s busiest deep-sea port, Laem Chabang, is under scrutiny as the Port Authority of Thailand (PAT) launches an urgent investigation into severe traffic congestion and a bribery scandal involving queue-jumping fees.
With over 6 million trucks passing through the port annually, the PAT is racing to implement solutions, including a crackdown on corruption, to restore order and efficiency, said PAT Director Kriangkrai Chaisiriwongsuk.
“We are not indifferent to the traffic issues at Laem Chabang Port. We are urgently working to solve these problems.”
The situation has escalated due to allegations of queue-cutting bribes, with reports of truck drivers paying to bypass long lines, worsening the already heavy congestion.
In response, the PAT has established a working group led by the Director of Laem Chabang Port to investigate the root causes of the traffic chaos.
The team will analyse whether the congestion is due to flaws in the truck queue management system or infrastructure issues such as road repairs within the port.
One key focus is to overhaul the Truck Queue Management System, which currently struggles to handle the sheer volume of trucks entering the port.
Plans are underway to modernise the system and provide additional truck parking outside the customs fence, easing congestion and improving waiting conditions for drivers.
The PAT is also taking decisive action against queue-jumping bribes. A fact-finding committee, chaired by the Deputy Director of PAT, has been set up to investigate the corruption allegations.
The authority is cracking down on bribery by establishing confidential reporting channels where truck drivers and logistics operators can report incidents anonymously.
Reports can be made through multiple platforms, including a hotline (0-2269-5555 press 3 or 095-562-0095), email (info@port.co.th or anticorruption.pat@port.co.th), and the PAT Connex Line OA.
To address the systemic issues, the working group is collaborating with transport operators, freight forwarding associations, and truck drivers to understand peak congestion times and explore solutions such as distributing transport schedules more evenly throughout the day.
The PAT has also sought assistance from the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) to strengthen its anti-bribery measures and ensure transparent operations at Laem Chabang Port, reported Daily News.
Laem Chabang Port, Thailand’s largest deep-sea port and ASEAN’s main logistics hub, currently handles over 9.4 million TEUs and 6 million trucks annually across 18 piers operated by private concessionaires.
The crackdown on corruption and improved traffic management are expected to significantly enhance the port’s operational efficiency and restore its reputation as a leading logistics centre.
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