US resumes cooperation with Thai private sector

By THE NATION

 

USTDA acting director Thomas R Hardy

 

The United States has resumed collaboration with the Thai private sector in a move seen to counter China’s influence in the region.

 

The US Trade and Development Agency announced on Wednesday the reopening of its programme in Thailand with the goal of supporting the development of priority infrastructure projects in the energy, transportation, and telecommunications sectors, and helping to foster new commercial partnerships between the two countries.

 

The move is being seen by critics as an effort to counter Chinese influence. The Asian giant has invested in infrastructure projects, such as high-speed railways and major highways, in the region. 

 

The US had cut close economic cooperation and aid to Thailand following the coup in 2014. It has now resumed collaboration after a new elected government took office.

 

“This is an important day for the USTDA, and we are proud to reopen our programme in Thailand,” said acting director Thomas R Hardy. “This is an ideal time to connect with new partners across the public and private sectors and advance quality infrastructure in support of Thailand’s development goals.”

 

To mark its reopening, the USTDA awarded a grant to Thailand-based renewable energy company Blue Solar to conduct a feasibility study on a solar photovoltaic power plant with an integrated energy storage system in Suphan Buri province. The project represents one of the first private sector deployments of utility-scale battery storage in Thailand.

 

Adequate and affordable power supply is critical to meet growing energy needs and drive economic growth in Thailand. Implementation of the project will support the kingdom’s goals to increase its clean energy mix, with new opportunities for US firms to supply solar and energy storage solutions. 

 

The USTDA-funded study will help Blue Solar assess the project’s viability and deliver the designs and analysis required for financing and implementation. This partnership advances the US government’s AsiaEdge initiative to support sustainable and secure energy markets in the Indo-Pacific region.

 

“We are very grateful to the USTDA for providing a grant to support our project feasibility study,” said Blue Solar managing director Visait Hansaward. “It is our wish that our solar energy storage project will prove that clean energy can be reliable and our country can expect renewable energy to be a mainstream energy source in the near future.”

 

Source: https://www.nationthailand.com/business/30374764

 

-- © Copyright The Nation Thailand 2019-08-14

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money over morals, with the right man at the helm -  lol...

Foreign policy of the Trump administration has been such a disaster, one can only hope some semblance of sanity rises to the top with this initiative, proven clean power advances need to gain a strong foot hold, all be it too late for the Mekong.

They are fighting a lost cause IMO.

 

 

5 minutes ago, garyk said:

They are fighting a lost cause IMO.

 

 

Agree. The Chinese don't play fair, have the numbers and geographic advantage, and also the Thai elites share a cultural affinity as they are also Chinese. 

 

But, to the Thais' credit, playing people off each other is one of the few things they excel at. 

SunPower panels rank with LG and Panasonic in quality and price, but the US company manufactures in Mexico.  US construction equipment is widely used all over the world.  Why not help them, instead competing against well equipped competitors?  A pretty poor use of US tax money. 

6 hours ago, leeneeds said:

proven clean power advances need to gain a strong foot hold

Wait for Trump to insist Thailand buy US coal for power generation.

He's not going to give grants without some kind of payback, especially with the 2020 elections.

And don't ever mention that alternative energy is needed to reduce greenhouse gases responsible for climate change. Trump will shutdown USTDA grants to Thailand immediately.

5 hours ago, Fex Bluse said:

Agree. The Chinese don't play fair, have the numbers and geographic advantage, and also the Thai elites share a cultural affinity as they are also Chinese. 

 

But, to the Thais' credit, playing people off each other is one of the few things they excel at. 

Every penny the US invests in Thailand only supports China indirectly. The Thais no longer play one side off against they other. They are firmly in the Chinese camp. US funding and projects, therefore, should all be directed to potential allies in the region, such as Vietnam, instead of a country that has aligned itself with Communist China.

Edited August 15, 20196 yr by zydeco

Makes one question will this US money also flow into commie coffers like pretty much everything in the last decade has, just enabling China to use it against them as the economic weapon.

 

Reagan knew how to deal with commies. Isolate and let them implode. Total ban on Chinese imports would be a decent start.

 

As for Thailand, sanctions up to hilt to let them know siding with China has consequences.

Edited August 15, 20196 yr by DrTuner

16 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

To mark its reopening, the USTDA awarded a grant to Thailand-based renewable energy company Blue Solar to conduct a feasibility study on a solar photovoltaic power plant with an integrated energy storage system in Suphan Buri province. The project represents one of the first private sector deployments of utility-scale battery storage in Thailand.

Should first try selling this alternative energy idea to his climate change denier Boss. 

18 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

The USTDA-funded study will help Blue Solar assess the project’s viability and deliver the designs and analysis required for financing and implementation. This partnership advances the US government’s AsiaEdge initiative to support sustainable and secure energy markets in the Indo-Pacific region.

But Trump is doing everything he can to stop this from happening in the USA ????

desperate for at least one international friend.

usa is ONLY interested in money, THEIR money.... They do NOT give a s**t about the rest of the world!

 

1 hour ago, JulesMad said:

usa is ONLY interested in money, THEIR money.... They do NOT give a s**t about the rest of the world!

 

And Thailand is only interested in everyone's money. 

 

Name any country that gives a shit about the rest of the world?

17 hours ago, Reigntax said:

And Thailand is only interested in everyone's money. 

 

Name any country that gives a shit about the rest of the world?

Civilised countries ???? (and NO, usa does NOT qualify!)