Thaksin had no role in Burma gas deal

Supalak Ganjanakhundee

The Nation

Good relations and perceived mutual benefit - and not the involvement of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra - were the reasons for Burma's rapidly agreeing to sign a petroleum concession contract with PTTEP in the New Year, Foreign Minister Surapong Towichukchaikul said.

Surapong and Energy Minister Pichai Naripthaphan discussed the matter with Burmese Energy Minister Than Htay in Naypyidaw when they accompanied Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra to the 4th Summit of the Greater Mekong Sub-region last week.

The Burmese energy authority made a phone call last weekend to inform the government that it would be ready to sign a natural-gas concession contract with PTT Exploration and Production Co for the M3 block in the Gulf of Martaban by January 5 or 6, Surapong said.

Surapong said he did not know the details of the concession contract. Energy Minister Pichai will witness the signing ceremony.

The M3 block, in the Gulf of Martaban south of Rangoon, contains good quality natural gas, the by-products of processing which could be used as raw materials for the petrochemical industry, he said.

The Opposition Democrat Party has alleged that Thaksin, who was in Burma shortly before Yingluck's visit, helped to pave the way for the contract signing because he has a personal interest in the gas deal.

Surapong said Thaksin had nothing to do with the negotiations, and that the government convinced Naypyidaw of the mutual benefits of cooperating on the energy project. Thailand can help Burma develop its petrochemical industry by using by-products of natural gas refining from block M3, the foreign minister said. The government would invite representatives from Burma to study the petrochemical industry in Thailand, he said.

In fact, PTTEP has dealt with Burma on the gas concession for a long time, but there was no progress during the previous government due to cold relations between the two countries at that time, Surapong said.

"Former Prime Minister Thaksin has no stake in the deal. If the Democrats can prove he has any interests in the concession, I would ask him to hand over the stake to them," he added.

-- The Nation 2011-12-28

It was not a political trip as he is banned from politics. So what could he have gone for? The night life?

Why is it that Thaksin happens to visit countries only a couple of days before (or at the same time as) Yingluck?

"Former Prime Minister Thaksin has no stake in the deal. If the Democrats can prove he has any interests in the concession, I would ask him to hand over the stake to them," he added.

I'm sure he would just hand it over if asked too

Yep, transparent deal. Nothing to see here.

Thailand getting along with it's neighbours. Whatever next?

Who cares??? Either way they won't be asking me to run the show so why would I give a monkies who does.......... Big businessman is/is not involved in big business deal, quelle surprise either way.

Who cares??? Either way they won't be asking me to run the show so why would I give a monkies who does.......... Big businessman is/is not involved in big business deal, quelle surprise either way.

Thaskin has a big thumb

and sticks it in every bodies piece of pie

Saying Thaskin has no interest in these dealings

Is like saying my Thai wife has no interest in Thai Food

Who cares??? Either way they won't be asking me to run the show so why would I give a monkies who does.......... Big businessman is/is not involved in big business deal, quelle surprise either way.

Thaskin has a big thumb

and sticks it in every bodies piece of pie

Saying Thaskin has no interest in these dealings

Is like saying my Thai wife has no interest in Thai Food

I didn't say he had no interest in these dealings I said "why would I give a monkies".

Thailand has been buying massive amounts of natural gas resources from Burma for twenty years providing a robust source of cash for the military kleptocracy there. So what's the big surprise about this deal? The revenue from Thai natural gas deals has kept the Burma military well healed in crispy neat uniforms so as to look like a real dictatorship, and those funds have in turn been deployed to supress the population. Thai cash finding its way into a military dictatorship and kleptocracy, not much of an new story. Thailand had a great teacher in the USA and learned well how to siphon money in to military hands.

Foreign Min Denies Thaksin's Involvement in Myanmar Oil Talks

The foreign minister denied Thaksin's involvement in PTT Group's negotiation of oil deals with Myanmar, as alleged by the Opposition.

Foreign Minister Surapong Towijakchaikul dismissed the opposition's allegations that former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was in Myanmar to sign a benefit agreement related to potential oil deals between the neighboring country and PTT Group, in which he has shares.

Surapong said if this were true, he would ask the former premier to pass the benefits to the Opposition parties.

He also called on the Opposition to stop false accusations, as everything the government is doing is in the interest of the nation.

The foreign minister added that there have been discussions regarding further concessions for oil exploration and production in Myanmar, but no agreement has been signed.

He said Thailand may be at a disadvantage if it does not act quickly.

Meanwhile, Surapong acknowledged his moniker given by the press and reiterated that he would never do anything that is beyond his power or against the law.

-- Tan Network 2011-12-28

How a about a bit of professional journalism to add substance and value to the story, instead of just printing accusations and denials. Any junior fact checker could have uncovered (or dis-proven) any financial entanglements of the Fugitive with this deal, in an hour on the web. But not our premier English newspaper... pathetic!

Why is it that Thaksin happens to visit countries only a couple of days before (or at the same time as) Yingluck?

Because as in every big company,the boss makes the deal and send his staff over a few days later to finalise everything.