Area 88.59 km² | ||
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Neighborhoods Ban Suan Thong, Si Racha Village, Thara Pura | ||
Laem Chabang (Thai: แหลมฉบัง, [lɛ̌ːm tɕʰābāŋ]) is a city (thesaban nakhon) in Chonburi Province, Thailand. It occupies the tambon Bang Lamung of Bang Lamung District, the tambons Bueng, Surasak, Thung Sukhla, and parts of Nong Kham of Si Racha District. As of 2006 it had a population of 61,801.
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Map of Laem Chabang, Bang Lamung District, Chon Buri, Thailand
Laem Chabang Port
Laem Chabang is home to Thailand's largest port, about 25 kilometres north of Pattaya, and south of the city of Chonburi. The port occupies 2,572 acres (1,041 ha) and is capable of handling the largest (Post-Panamax) vessels.
Development of the port complex started in 1988 to encourage development outside Bangkok and take advantage of proximity to the Gulf of Thailand. The container port was completed in 1991. In 2014 it handled 6.58 million TEUs, making it the 22nd busiest container port in the world. Much of the international shipping reaching Thailand passes through Laem Chabang. It is a port of call for Princess Cruises and Celebrity Cruises.
US aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), accompanied by guided-missile cruiser Cape St. George (CG 71), visited the port from 6–10 January 2012. Following the visit, Singapore-based husbanding service provider Glenn Defense Marine Asia (GDMA) over-billed the navy more than US$500,000, according to US prosecutors. No port officials were implicated in the widening scandal, which involved high-ranking US Navy officers and civilians.
Sports
Laem Chabang has world class golf courses, such as the Laem Chabang International Country Club designed by Jack Nicklaus.
Economy
As a port town, the economy is based on shipping services, as well as retail and tourism. The town is being marketed along with Bang Lamung township as an alternative to Pattaya. Sukhumvit Road passes through the town. Some 200 companies occupy about 1,406 acres (569 ha) in the industrial park. It also has an ExxonMobil refinery.