Thailand Believes US Will Understand Government's Decision On NASA Request

[webfact]

Thailand believes US will understand government's decision on NASA request

DUBAI, June 29 – Thai Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul said Thursday he believed that the United States would understand Thailand's decision on its request to use U-Tapao even though the US space agency cancelled its plan to conduct atmospheric studies this year.

The United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) said in a June 26 announcement on its website and Twitter that it unfortunately had to call off the airborne science mission planned for Southeast Asia this year due to the absence of necessary approvals by regional authorities in the timeframe necessary to support the mission.

The NASA announcement came after the Thai cabinet on Tuesday resolved to refer the NASA request to use U-Tapao naval airbase as its base to conduct atmospheric studies to Parliament for a non-voting debate for transparency.

Mr Surapong, now visiting Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, said that when he telephoned US ambassador to Thailand Kristie Kenney to inform her of the government's decision, she said she understood. He said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs formally informed the US government at the same time.

He said that it was regrettable and the government must wait and see whether NASA will return to Thailand next year for its mission.

He criticised the opposition Democrat Party for trying to politicise the issue.

Meanwhile, Foreign Ministry spokesman Thani Thongphakdi said the ministry unofficially acknowledged the NASA decision but the Department of American and South Pacific Affairs said that it had not yet received an official letter from NASA.

In its website it said that "NASA cancelled the SEAC4RS mission, which was scheduled to begin in August 2012, due to the absence of necessary approvals by regional authorities in the timeframe necessary to support the mission's planned deployment and scientific observation window."

The Southeast Asia Composition, Cloud, Climate Coupling Regional Study (SEAC4RS) was scheduled to take to the field in August.

London-based Reuters news agency on Thursday quoted a NASA spokesman Steve Cole in Washington as saying that no decision has been made on whether NASA will be able to fly the mission next year or some other time in the future.

Mr Cole was quoted as saying that there is a range of options other than U-Tapao, both inside and outside Thailand, that could perhaps serve as headquarters for a future study but he did not want to give the impression that NASA is actively considering specific locations. "We are not yet at that stage," he added. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-06-29

[bobl]

What decision? I thought it was indecision that caused NASA to pull out...

Oh, wait... Somebody needs to save face...

[steelepulse]

What's he doing in Dubai?

[Priceless]

I am quite certain that the US will understand Thailand's decision (or lack thereof). They are well aware that Thailand is a third world country with a government that was not appointed to govern, but rather to get a certain fugitive back and to return his money.

/ Priceless

[animatic]

Not hardly.

They will see why it happened, but it is beyond understanding.

[Reasonableman]

They will clearly understand, and their understanding will confirm the view they already hold.

[lungmi]

What's he doing in Dubai?

Anti-Piracy conference and brown-nosing.

[ttelise]

Haha, really. Seriously. For real. Does anyone actually buy into this funny stuff.

[ttelise]

What's he doing in Dubai?

Apparently smoking crack

[mic6ard]

Yeah, sure understand the decision to do nothing. Like with every other major decisions that needed to be made with the gov't.

[Soutpeel]

Yeah, sure understand the decision to do nothing. Like with every other major decisions that needed to be made with the gov't.

ah but they are doing something...they are suing the former goverment for not giving permission...so all is well in the childrens playground we call Thai politics... .....Thailand..... the regional hub of indecision...something to be proud of...

[ballpoint]

I'm sure they'll understand. "You didn't give my cousin a visa, so we're not giving you a base in Thailand".

[Skywalker69]

What's he doing in Dubai?

we all know that. But I am not sure he knows.

[steveyinasia]

Does anyone understand the decisions made by any Thai government?

[hungryhippo]

He said that it was regrettable and the government must wait and see whether NASA will return to Thailand next year for its mission.

Why does the thai government think that's an option when it's been repeatedly told to them that NASA will just go somewhere else. When you have 300+ scientists from around the world and millions of dollars at stake you can't just "delay" things.

[jamstock]

There was probably an underlying reason as to why NASA would want to have a base in Thailand. We don't know all the facts. It's probably best to keep the US out anyway.

[how241]

Not hardly.

They will see why it happened, but it is beyond understanding.

+1

[Reasonableman]

There was probably an underlying reason as to why NASA would want to have a base in Thailand. We don't know all the facts. It's probably best to keep the US out anyway.

because....

[oneday]

Stay away NASA until this country grows up.

[NomadJoe]

What decision? I thought it was indecision that caused NASA to pull out...

Oh, wait... Somebody needs to save face...

Exactly what I was going to say. The US "understands" the reason, but no reason was given. lol

[givenall]

What decision? I thought it was indecision that caused NASA to pull out...

Oh, wait... Somebody needs to save face...

US does not really care what Thailand thinks, Get over it Thailand

[phiphidon]

Some information for those of you who genuinely are interested into why this didn't go ahead as who have already made their one state minds up:

Article 190 of the constitution states that before any international agreements are made by State agencies with foreign powers the agreement/s have to be discussed in parliament first. Well actually, not all agreements, it depends on how the judiciary sees fit at the time - there is a fluid interpretation of Article 190.

Discretion being the better part of valour and bearing in mind the CCs recent actions (and determination of the dems to get back into power by any means possible other than the ballot box) the government thought it best to discuss the deal in parliament rather than risk being dissolved by the CC for not having done the right thing.

As simple as that

[ramrod711]

There was probably an underlying reason as to why NASA would want to have a base in Thailand. We don't know all the facts. It's probably best to keep the US out anyway.

You may be right, the U.S. can stay away from the yearly Cobra Gold exercises and keep their money in their pockets. While we're slamming them why don't we tell them that Thailand isn't interested in American tourism dollars or shipping hundreds of millions of dollars worth of thai products to America.

Edited June 29, 2012 by ramrod711

[crobe]

The FM Surapong is either an imbecile or thinks that everyone else is.

He is now trying to sue the democrats for not bringing the agreement between GISTDA and NASA in 2010 to parliament.

What he does not understand, or has not been properly informed of, is that the agreement in 2010 was a co-operation agreement and made no specific mention of the SEAC4RS campaign, which was discussed under his own government.

If he thinks that the democrats should have brought these international agreements to parliament for scrutiny, then why has he not brought up the MoU between GISTDA and EIAST of the UAE agreed in April 2011, or the MoU of GISTDA with Kazakhstan signed two months ago.

Maybe it is because the FM and Science ministers in this dysfunctional government do not communicate

Crobe

[webfact]

US understood Thailand's decision on its request: Surapong

Thai News Agency, The Nation

Kenney

BANGKOK: -- Thai Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul said Thursday he believed that the United States would understand Thailand's decision on its request to use U-tapao even though the US space agency cancelled its plan to conduct atmospheric studies this year.

The US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (Nasa) said in a June 26 announcement on its website and Twitter that it unfortunately had to call off the airborne science mission planned for Southeast Asia this year due to the absence of necessary approvals by regional authorities in the timeframe necessary to support the mission.

The Nasa announcement came after the Thai cabinet on Tuesday resolved to refer the Nasarequest to use U-tapao naval airbase as its base to conduct atmospheric studies to Parliament for a non-voting debate for transparency.

Surapong, now visiting Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, said that when he telephoned US ambassador to Thailand Kristie Kenney to inform her of the government's decision, she said she understood. He said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs formally informed the US government at the same time.

He said that it was regrettable and the government must wait and see whether Nasa will return to Thailand next year for its mission.

He criticised the opposition Democrat Party for trying to politicise the issue.

Meanwhile, Foreign Ministry spokesman Thani Thongphakdi said the ministry unofficially acknowledged the NASA decision but the Department of American and South Pacific Affairs said that it had not yet received an official letter from Nasa.

A statement posted on Nasa's website Thursday said "Nasa cancelled the SEAC4RS mission, which was scheduled to begin in August 2012, due to the absence of necessary approvals by regional authorities in the timeframe necessary to support the mission’s planned deployment and scientific observation window."

The Southeast Asia Composition, Cloud, Climate Coupling Regional Study (SEAC4RS) was scheduled to take to the field in August.

London-based Reuters news agency on Thursday quoted NASA spokesman Steve Cole in Washington as saying that no decision has been made on whether Nasa will be able to fly the mission next year or some other time in the future.

Cole was quoted as saying that there is a range of options other than U-tapao, both inside and outside Thailand, that could perhaps serve as headquarters for a future study but he did not want to give the impression that Nasais actively considering specific locations. "We are not yet at that stage," he added.

-- The Nation 2012-06-29

[ballpoint]

News on the NASA website says their next probe in the search for intelligent life forms will be launched later this year. The craft will orbit Government House in Bangkok for six months, gathering information upon which they'll make a decision as to whether to land on the surface and take a sample, or abort the mission. A spokesman for NASA said "It's a longshot, but, in the interests of science, we are obliged to look for intelligence in the most unlikely places". A spokesman for the Thai government said he'd eat the probe if he saw it and then go on a hunger strike.

[chotthee]

OK, maybe Canada visa for Thaksin next.

Does the maple leave moose want a piece of Don Mueng airport, perhaps?

Airport for visa swap, not a bad deal.

[rijb]

NASA strategic plans are funded every fiscal year by the U.S. government. That means NASA must spend the money now or lose it. No money, no honey (SEAC4RS). Understand?

[TheWalkingMan]

...she said she understood.

After the phone call she probably called her colleague at NASA and told him to payoff the bet they made about this.

[bdenner]

If one looks closely at Surapong's photo you will see the sand in what's left of his hair. Obviously just pulled his head out of it and found himself in Dubai!!