NASA To Withdraw U-Tapao Plan If No Answer From Thailand By June 26: Surapong

[webfact]

NASA to withdraw U-Tapao plan if no answer from Thailand by June 26: Surapong

BANGKOK, June 21 - Thai Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul said on Thursday that the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) will withdraw its plan to use Thailand's U-Tapao airport to conduct atmospheric studies if there is no conclusion by the Thai government by June 26.

The Thai foreign minister made the statement following a request from the United States to set up a disaster response centre at the sprawling U-Tapao base, which straddles Chon Buri and Rayong provinces, and NASA to use the airport to conduct atmospheric studies.

The US move sparked concerns among the Thai public over security concerns and the Yingluck cabinet decided to postpone consideration of the request until further studies on the impact of the request have been completed.

Mr Surapong said he had received a letter from the US embassy in Bangkok stating that NASA will suspend its plan to use the airport if the Thai government does not answer by June 26 as the agency could not move its equipment on time for the project implementation scheduled in August and September.

The letter stated the US understands the situation which is a domestic problem, according to the minister.

Mr Surapong warned that Thailand would lose benefits and knowledge if NASA does withdraw its project, and such a move would also affect the country's image in the world community.

Both Singapore and Cambodia gave a green light for NASA to overfly their airspace. What Thailand will get from the project is scientific knowledge and information of a qualiy and nature that the country has never had.

Regarding concerns over national security, the foreign minister reaffirmed that 18 security concerned agencies acknowledged the issue and the government also gives importance on the cooperation with other countries, as well as focuses on the public interest.

Mr Surapong asserted the NASA request will be raised in the Cabinet next Tuesday so that the issue will be concluded, whether the project will be allowed or not.

But he also revealed that that the issue could not be considered at Tuesday's Cabinet meeting although a special meeting of concerned agencies, the premier and military brass agreed to forward it for cabinet consideration as it awaited official endorsement from the National Security Council.

The foreign minister said that Thailand's Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency signed the plan with NASA on Sept 28, 2010, during the government of then prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva. The current government asked the US government on Feb 15, 2012 to ask Thailand’s neighbours whether they would open their skies for NASA aircraft.

Mr Surapong said the foreign ministry also submitted a letter to the Chinese government informing it of the plan and there was no objection from Beijing.

On April 17, the US embassy reaffirmed that the NASA project is about science, while Singapore and Cambodia agreed to open their airspace to NASA aircraft. Then, the foreign ministry decided to submit the request for Cabinet consideration. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-06-21

[Soutpeel]

oh dear thats going to screw them being given a deadline...

[WhizBang]

oh dear thats going to screw them being given a deadline...

LOL, yes, what will Thai's do with a deadline, other than ignore it.

[Pib]

Durn, this is going to be tough on the govt...they are so use to appointing committes to study things for months and months (or longer)....the govt may need to make an expeditious decision...not sure they are up to it. Hope they do since this weather research project will benefit Thailand. But I'm sure there are people out there who have watched too many James Bond films and are convinced this NASA project is really a secret U.S. military world domination plot.

[tomross46]

Did K. Suraphong say that Thailand would approve the NASA request, if USA gave a VISA to fugitive PM Thaksin?

[Scott]

oh dear thats going to screw them being given a deadline...

But is that deadline Thai time or US time?

[Soutpeel]

oh dear thats going to screw them being given a deadline...

But is that deadline Thai time or US time?

For complete fairness should be GMT...

[ThaiOats]

All the opposition wants is transparency, how hard is that to provide? Be transparent about it and if it's all clean, then go ahead!

[silverhawk_usa]

Mr Surapong said the foreign ministry also submitted a letter to the Chinese government informing it of the plan and there was no objection from Beijing.

Thailand is always bragging (worrying) about their sovereignty. Why would they be concerned about Beijing? The bordering countries airspace I can understand.

[phl]

The US move sparked concerns among the Thai public over security concerns

, yes security is the main concern for general population in Thailand, especially when it comes to having US research center for atmospheric studies.

I only hope Somchai understands what atmospheric actually means

[ratcatcher]

Mr Surapong said the foreign ministry also submitted a letter to the Chinese government informing it of the plan and there was no objection from Beijing.

Thailand is always bragging (worrying) about their sovereignty. Why would they be concerned about Beijing? The bordering countries airspace I can understand.

Of course he sent a letter to Beijing, he has to keep Thailand's colonial masters happy.

As for the deadline, basically their U.S. friends are saying "Shit or get off the pot" or words to that effect.

[KeyserSoze01]

Did K. Suraphong say that Thailand would approve the NASA request, if USA gave a VISA to fugitive PM Thaksin?

Is everything related to Thaksin, or do you just have your panties in a twist. Ask 99.9% of Americans who Thaksin is and you will get a blank stare. Me tinks you protest too mutt.

[hellodolly]

Did K. Suraphong say that Thailand would approve the NASA request, if USA gave a VISA to fugitive PM Thaksin?

Is everything related to Thaksin, or do you just have your panties in a twist. Ask 99.9% of Americans who Thaksin is and you will get a blank stare. Me tinks you protest too mutt.

Me tinks you are confused about what country you are in and what country Nasa is asking. And yes I am quite sure that Nasa is aware of th political situation here and the need for the government to get Thaksins OK on every thing.

Why did you think he had a direct line into the cabinet meetings when Yingluck was posing for photo ops?

[Skywalker69]

All the opposition wants is transparency, how hard is that to provide? Be transparent about it and if it's all clean, then go ahead!

But why does NASA have to go to Thailand to study the atmosphere? Don´t they have atmosphere above the US?

[rakman]

All the opposition wants is transparency, how hard is that to provide? Be transparent about it and if it's all clean, then go ahead!

But why does NASA have to go to Thailand to study the atmosphere? Don´t they have atmosphere above the US?

While we do have an atmosphere here in the US, scientists need more data points on the other side of the earth, in the tropics, Indian Ocean region. Thailand is also a nice place for the pilots and scientists to relax between flights.

I'm sure there would be quite a lot of money spent per person to support the mission, and jet fuel purchases, and maybe a few jobs created for Thai workers or maybe even students.

[IsaanUSA]

Why not just go to Cambodia?

[Skywalker69]

All the opposition wants is transparency, how hard is that to provide? Be transparent about it and if it's all clean, then go ahead!

But why does NASA have to go to Thailand to study the atmosphere? Don´t they have atmosphere above the US?

While we do have an atmosphere here in the US, scientists need more data points on the other side of the earth, in the tropics, Indian Ocean region. Thailand is also a nice place for the pilots and scientists to relax between flights.

I'm sure there would be quite a lot of money spent per person to support the mission, and jet fuel purchases, and maybe a few jobs created for Thai workers or maybe even students.

OK I understand,thanks for the information.

[webfact]

Nasa sets Tuesday deadline

The Nation

US agency says it may withdraw its request if Thai govt nod delayed

BANGKOK: -- Nasa will withdraw its request to conduct weather research at the U-tapao airbase if the Thai government fails to approve it by next Tuesday, Foreign Minister Surapong Towichukchaikul said yesterday.

A letter from Nasa, delivered by the US Embassy in Bangkok, indicated that the agency might not have enough time to prepare its equipment for the project if the government gave it a nod far too late, he said.

Nasa wants to use the U-tapao airbase for its weather-research aircraft in August and September this year, so they need to start preparing by July, he said. "Unfortunately, we will lose the chance to gain scientific knowledge for rain forecasting, if we cannot approve the project on time. It might also affect our reputation because other countries such as Cambodia and Singapore are ready to join," Surapong said.

He added that he would encourage the Cabinet to make a decision before time runs out. The Cabinet was supposed to consider Nasa's proposal weeks ago, but concerned agencies have yet to send their opinion on the project in writing, he said.

Nasa signed a joint statement with the Science Ministry's Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA) since September 2010 to show their intention to conduct research in U-tapao. Communication between Bangkok and Washington began last June, when the United States proposed to hold a meeting between concerned agencies to consider details of the research. Later, Thailand asked the US to seek the opinion of governments from neighbouring countries about whether they had any concerns or reservations about the project, Surapong said.

Thailand has already sought China's opinion and Beijing has said it has no problems with the project, he said. In addition, the US had informed the Foreign Ministry earlier this year that Cambodia and Singapore had no problems if Nasa and Thai research aircraft flew over their sovereign skies, he said.

The Foreign Ministry submitted the proposal for Cabinet consideration on June 4 and sought the opinion of other concerned agencies, including the military, he said.

The agencies in charge of national security raised no concerns, he said, adding that the Foreign Ministry's Treaties and Legal Department and the Council of State had indicated that the Cabinet had the authority to make a decision on the issue, without seeking approval from Parliament.

The project became a hot political issue when the opposition Democrat Party started accusing the government of offering Nasa the use of U-tapao in exchange for a US visa for former PM Thaksin Shinawatra and demanded that the issue be taken to Parliament according to the charter's Article 190.

Defence Minister Sukampol Suwannathat also insisted that the Nasa project was purely scientific without having any implication on security matters and that China had not raised any concerns.

Meanwhile, opposition Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva, who was prime minister of the previous government, challenged Science Minister Plodprasob Surassawadee to take the matter to the anti-corruption body if he saw any wrongdoing by the Democrats on the project.

On Wednesday, Plodprasob released a statement saying that Nasa and GISTDA had signed the deal since September 2010 during Abhisit's tenure and implied that the previous government's act was unconstitutional as it had failed to take the issue to Parliament.

"If the government considers our action wrong, then it should lodge a petition with the National Anti-Corruption Commission," Abhisit said.

"If the government has nothing to hide, it should tell the public about all details of the project," he said. "It's strange that you say it is nothing, but you give us no details."

Abhisit did not explain why his government did not take this project to Parliament.

-- The Nation 2012-06-22

[webfact]

KMIT researcher backs Nasa weather mission

Wannapa Khaopa

The Nation

Lecturer insists no hidden agenda by US; says 'eminent scientists involved in project will not stake reputations'

BANGKOK: -- Nasa's mission to study weather in the Southeast Asia region has nothing to cause worries about security. It is purely science, a Thai researcher told Nation Multimedia Group of publications yesterday.

"I hope that the project is granted permission because it's important and is conducted by the science community. It doesn't have any hidden agenda behind it," said Narisara Thongboonchoo, lecturer at the Faculty of Engineering at King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang who took part in two missions of air experiments of Nasa (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) in Hong Kong and the US.

She showed the plan of the SEAC4RS (Southeast Asia Composition, Cloud, Climate Coupling Regional Study) campaign. The plan clearly showed the names of dozens of famous scientists and researchers from different international agencies who will work in each of the three aircraft and it also underlined their duties, including what they will measure and which methods will be used.

"I'm certain that none of them will risk the reputation that they have accumulated for years to help the US spy on other countries," Narisara said.

"Most of the flights will be over the ocean not land. So, they cannot spy on anything. Regarding the equipment [used in the flight], they just made holes in the planes' windows and on the bottom and top of the aircraft to suck the air from outside and keep in the equipment. They don't have any equipment that can scan areas," she added.

Nasa began its weather experiment project in 1983 in Hawaii. It has also done many similar projects in different parts of the world. Narisara herself took part in the air pollution modelling of two Nasa projects when she was a graduate student at the University of Iowa - Transport and Chemical Evolution over the Pacific (TRACEP) in 2001 in Hong Kong and Intercontinental Chemical Transport Experiment North America (INTEXNA) in the US.

"Regarding concerns about the relationship between Thailand and China, I would say that China had contacted Nasa to ask about the project in Hong Kong. But there was no problem and Nasa was allowed to do the mission there," she said.

Population and economic development are primary drivers for anthropogenic emissions, which are increasing rapidly in Southeast Asia. Strong anthropogenic sources are intermingled with strong biogenic and natural emissions across both terrestrial and marine environments, she said.

Observations will focus specifically on the role of the Asian monsoon circulation and convective redistribution in governing upper atmospheric composition and chemistry.

The operation aims to address key questions about the influence of Asian emissions on clouds, climate and air quality as well as fundamental capacity of satellites to observe the system.

The region has strong gradients in air pollution. But, persistent cirrus, low level clouds coupled with shallow water make it one of the most difficult places on the planet to model or utilise satellite data, so the aircraft mission will help collect the data, she said.

"The data will be available for the public. People can access the data. It's free. The meteorology in the tropical region is very difficult to predict in terms of precipitation and weather. So, if this experiment is allowed to operate, we can measure physical parameters that relate to meteorology. Then, the Thai government can use such useful information to predict the weather. The information will be helpful for the royal rainmaking project. Moreover, the information about air pollution in Southeast Asia and Thailand, especially our eastern seaboard, will be useful for researchers to get a better understanding about what has happened in that region. So, policymakers will know how to mitigate air pollution problems," she said.

Watch the video interview with Narisara at nationmultimedia.com

-- The Nation 2012-06-22

[Chang_paarp]

Looks like Cambodia will get the status as host for the boffins. And some research money.

Sent from my GT-I9100 using Thaivisa Connect App

[scotbeve]

Did K. Suraphong say that Thailand would approve the NASA request, if USA gave a VISA to fugitive PM Thaksin?

Is everything related to Thaksin, or do you just have your panties in a twist. Ask 99.9% of Americans who Thaksin is and you will get a blank stare. Me tinks you protest too mutt.

Is this off topic as well??? I know there's a whole lot of this that gets condemned if twisted another way....

[Moruya]

Did K. Suraphong say that Thailand would approve the NASA request, if USA gave a VISA to fugitive PM Thaksin?

Is everything related to Thaksin, or do you just have your panties in a twist. Ask 99.9% of Americans who Thaksin is and you will get a blank stare. Me tinks you protest too mutt.

I believe the reason for the delay is that the Dems asked for the proposal to be placed before parliament for discussion as it concerns a foreign nation. The Dems believe that agreeing to the American deal had a clause saying that Thaksin would get a visa for the USA. Now the PTP have cold feet. Strange that!

[Sayonarax]

Ooo transparency.. where oh where did the government learn such a word?

You know what they say, "You cant bullshit a bullshitter"

[Payboy]

oh dear thats going to screw them being given a deadline...

Nah, they can always blame the traffic.

[Lite Beer]

Council of State to have final say on Nasa research

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Council of State will have a final say on the use of U-tapao air base for the Nasa weather research, Deputy Prime Minister Yongyuth Wichaidit said on Friday.

"The legal experts should be consulted on the issue," he said.

Yongyuth said he was uncertain whether the Cabinet would debate the issue next Tuesday because the government was obliged to await for the Council of State to draw conclusion.

He said the government would not risk causing untold damage if it had erred on the issue.

Government leaders, including Science Minister Plopprasop Suraswadee and Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul, have insisted the issue was purely about a scientific research without any bearing on security affairs.

But critics, including Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva, voice their concern for security impacts because the research would take place at the air base, seen as a strategic location for the region.

The government and its critics lock horns over whether the issue should be debated in Parliament due to security implications as per Article 190 of the Constitution.

The research is scheduled to commence in August. And parliamentary debate can not take place until the next session convenes later.

-- The Nation 2012-06-22

[Moruya]

Council of State to have final say on Nasa research

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Council of State will have a final say on the use of U-tapao air base for the Nasa weather research, Deputy Prime Minister Yongyuth Wichaidit said on Friday.

"The legal experts should be consulted on the issue," he said.

Yongyuth said he was uncertain whether the Cabinet would debate the issue next Tuesday because the government was obliged to await for the Council of State to draw conclusion.

He said the government would not risk causing untold damage if it had erred on the issue.

Government leaders, including Science Minister Plopprasop Suraswadee and Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul, have insisted the issue was purely about a scientific research without any bearing on security affairs.

But critics, including Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva, voice their concern for security impacts because the research would take place at the air base, seen as a strategic location for the region.

The government and its critics lock horns over whether the issue should be debated in Parliament due to security implications as per Article 190 of the Constitution.

The research is scheduled to commence in August. And parliamentary debate can not take place until the next session convenes later.

-- The Nation 2012-06-22

What a strange article.

The Council of State will have a final say......

But not really because the legal team will have the final say

What are they reall scared of here? The Chinese? The Yanks getting up to mischeif? Thaksin is geting a free visa thrown in?

[KeyserSoze01]

Did K. Suraphong say that Thailand would approve the NASA request, if USA gave a VISA to fugitive PM Thaksin?

Is everything related to Thaksin, or do you just have your panties in a twist. Ask 99.9% of Americans who Thaksin is and you will get a blank stare. Me tinks you protest too mutt.

Me tinks you are confused about what country you are in and what country Nasa is asking. And yes I am quite sure that Nasa is aware of th political situation here and the need for the government to get Thaksins OK on every thing.

Why did you think he had a direct line into the cabinet meetings when Yingluck was posing for photo ops?

The US would not issue a visa to anyone that is an escaped criminal from an ally nation.

Me tinks you are just another farang conspiracy theorist with a Thaksin obsession.

[KeyserSoze01]

Why not just go to Cambodia?

Does Cambodia have a facility like U-Tapao on it's southern coast? I think not.

[KeyserSoze01]

"Most of the flights will be over the ocean not land. So, they cannot spy on anything. Regarding the equipment [used in the flight], they just made holes in the planes' windows and on the bottom and top of the aircraft to suck the air from outside and keep in the equipment. They don't have any equipment that can scan areas," she added.

​Quite funny as the US has not had to rely on overflights for surveillance since the advent of the Keyhole program.

[h90]

Did K. Suraphong say that Thailand would approve the NASA request, if USA gave a VISA to fugitive PM Thaksin?

Is everything related to Thaksin, or do you just have your panties in a twist. Ask 99.9% of Americans who Thaksin is and you will get a blank stare. Me tinks you protest too mutt.

Me tinks you are confused about what country you are in and what country Nasa is asking. And yes I am quite sure that Nasa is aware of th political situation here and the need for the government to get Thaksins OK on every thing.

Why did you think he had a direct line into the cabinet meetings when Yingluck was posing for photo ops?

The US would not issue a visa to anyone that is an escaped criminal from an ally nation.

Me tinks you are just another farang conspiracy theorist with a Thaksin obsession.

but with the amnesty law he wouldn't be a criminal anymore.