The idea that Thailand should have another large port was first floated in 1948 when the Pibulsongkhram government concluded that the Bangkok Port could no longer satisfy the needs of Long-term economic development. Initially, it was planned to build a commercial port in Sriracha, but the project was later scrapped.
In 1961, the government commissioned NEDECO(Netherlands Engineering Consultants) to conduct a feasibility study on developing a new port in Sriracha NEDECO recommended that the new port could be constructed at Laem Chabang instead because the site was well sheltered, could easily be dredged ,and could have a spacious hinterland for the construction of port facilities. Still, the project was not implemented.
Between 1966 and 1969, the US had constructed port facilities at Sattahip for military use. In 1972, these facilities were transferred to the Thai government.
In1973, Louis Berger Co.,Ltd. Reported to the Ministry of Transport that the government should invest in expansion of the Sattahip Port rather than build a new deep sea port at Laem Chabang
However, the Ministry of trousgevert proposed that a new port was needed at Laem Chabang for reasons of safety, working efficiency and long-term expansion. On October 9, 1973 the cabinet approved this recommendation. Unfortunately, economic recession prevented the government from finding the needed funds to start construction. To relieve congestion at Bangkok Port, the government decided to develop Sattahip for the time being and made preparations for future development at Laem chabang.
In 1978, the government began to expropriate the land in the districus of Sriracha and Bandlamung for the construction of the laem Chabang Port. The total area was 1,014.5 hectares, of which 640 were privately owned while the remainder were government-held land.
On march 20. 1979 the cabinet approved a resolution to place the administration of the Sattahip Port under the control of the PAT in the same way as the Bangkok Port. The PAT Board was assigned to set overall policy, to oversee operations and to provide technical assistance. The Sattahip Commercial Port began operation on 12 December 1979.
On several occasions in the following years, the cabinet discussed the feasibility of the Laem Chabang Port and an associated industrial estate development project nearby. On 23 February 1982, it decided to accelerate the development of Laem Chabang Port as a port for containerised, general and agricultural cargo and as an in frastructure to encourage the production of light consumer goods which would not cause envronmental problems, Under the plan, the port should begin operation between 1987 and 1990 , and a sub-committee should be appointed to oversee the port development. The Ninister of Transport was appointed chairman, responsible for the development of deep-sea port facilities in the Eastern Seaboard with special emphasis on Laem Chabang Port.
On 29 March 1983, the government passed a resolution to allow the Ninistry of Transoprt to negotiate for a loan from Japan to design and carry out the construction of the Larm Chabang Project. The Ministry of Rinance was assigned to source the remaining funds from the revenue of the PAT and from the regular government budget.
In 1984, the PAT commissioned the PAAS Consortium to carry out the detailed engineering design which was completed in April 1986
In 1987, the PAAS Consortium was also appointed to undertake the supervision work, while the construction contract was awarede to a consortium of Italian-Thai, Daiho, Daito Kogyo and Dredging international. The construction contract was signed was signed on October 2, 1987 and the work, which was expedted to extend over a period of 48 months, began in December of the same year.
On 15 November 1987 with the Prime Minister Prem Tinsulanonda presiding, PAT laid the foundation stone for the Laem Chabang Port.
In 1989, the cabinet passed a resolution to bring the Laem Chabang Port within the jurisdiction of the Port Authority of Thailand Act 1951 and to make PAT the administrative authority. It also announced that private companied could participate in the operation of port terminals.
Laem Chabang Port Project, Phase 1, got its headstart in 1987 and was completed and began offering its first pier, B1, on January 21, 1991. The government has the policy of encouraging the private sector to co-invest, operate and manage the terminal at Laem Chabang Port.