The Thai Customs Department on Friday announced that it has launched its E-Coastal Trading System to better facilitate owners of coastal trading vessels and port operators.

Krisada Chinavicharana, director-general of the department said the new E-Coastal Trading System helps coastal trading vessels to report the movements of their vessels, as well as undergo customs procedures electronically without having to meet face-to-face with customs officers.

"We can save time as well as prevent mistakes documenting on papers," said Krisada, "we can save lots of paper documents too, and prevent the hassle of finding documents."

Besides, vessel operators are able to utilize the department's E-Bill Payment system to pay fees for lighthouses and vessel departures through internet banking, mobile banking, ATM and convenience stores.

The E-Coastal Trading System also provides port operators with quick information about the weights, numbers and other statuses of cargo containers on visiting coastal trading vessels.

Krisada also said that the data provided on the E-Coastal Trading System can facilitate management of containers at ports.

"Vessel operators just need to punch in required information about their cargo and goods into the electronic system without having to physically go to see a customs official."

The director-general said he hopes to see E-Coastal Trading System move Thailand to a better position in the "Ease of Doing Business" program launched by the World Bank.