Siri Jirapongphan, director and acting director-general of the PAT's board of commissioners, said the land, located next to its head office, was currently used for parking trucks and part of the area was empty.

Initially, the PAT wants interested businesses to develop the site for not more than three years, but if it receives a sound proposal with obvious benefits, it might consider extending the initial period of the concession.

The PAT has a plan to develop 1,000 rai near Bangkok's port to be a logistics centre consisting of distribution and marine product centres.

Siri said this area would also connect to the Klong Toei district.

It will also receive agricultural products transported from different areas of Thailand along the Chao Phya River to Bangkok's port before being exported to other countries in the region.

Siri said the PAT planned to raise the quality of its 5,198 flats, some of which are under the management of the National Housing Authority. The PAT will hire private businesses to manage its other units.

"We would like private companies to follow the rules and conditions of the PAT in managing our flats. They have to serve the needs of our staff," he said.

Siri said the PAT's board of commissioners on July 20 approved the dismissal of Theerayuth Tummanont, director of Laem Chabang Port in Chon Buri, following an accusation he arranged an auction for unloading containers that was not transparent.

He said Theerayuth, who had been director of the port since August 22, 2002, did not follow PAT regulations.

"This is the first time the PAT has punished a high-ranking executive," said Siri.

Watcharapong Thongrung

The Nation