Brown out Samui

[webfact]

PM seeks public opinion on controversial oil-concession plan
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- PRIME MINISTER General Prayut Chan-o-cha said yesterday he wanted to seek public opinion on whether the government should go ahead with the 21st round of bidding for petroleum exploration concessions.

Opponents of concessions, who call themselves People's Network for Energy Reform, have suggested that the government switch to the production-sharing system, which they say will be more flexible and beneficial to the country.

"Today this group and the state [will have their say], but what about other groups? If we listen to one side, we will only get information from those who oppose the concession. Meanwhile, the state also has its own information and principles. They both have different opinions. We have to ask others. People should listen to both sides and decide. Don't let this matter be decided by a few people. Thailand has 60 million people,'' Prayut said.

He went on to say that though he would not be able to attend the forum at Government House today, he would keep himself updated with the live broadcast. The forum is being held to discuss whether the petroleum exploration concession should be replaced with a production-sharing contract.

As for his decision to stay away from the forum, Prayut denied it was because he did not want to confront the other side. He said that neither he nor other state officials had a vested interest in the concession. "I believe the people at the forum will not have any private interests [in the concession] either, especially not with the country being in the state it is in," he said.

When asked about what would happen if the forum was not able to come up with an agreement, Prayut said then he would have to find a new way to resolve the matter. When asked if he would opt for a nationwide survey after the discussion, he said that could be one of the methods used.

The Energy Ministry on Monday extended the deadline for petroleum exploration bids from February 18 to March 16, pending further discussion at the forum.

When asked if the ministry might move the deadline beyond March 16, Prayut said everything should be completed by next month.

"The ministry should explain what needs to be changed or what measures should be issued. If the deadline has to be postponed, then there should be valid reason," the PM said.

The forum will be held between 9am and 3pm, and state-run Channel 11 will broadcast the answers to the nine questions posed by the public. The forum will comprise of four state representatives and four from those opposing the concession.

Representatives nominated by the public sector to attend the forum include National Reform Council member Rosana Tositrakul, academic ML Kornkasiwat Kasemsri, while state representatives include PTT chairman Piyasvasti Amranand and Energy Ministry deputy permanent secretary Kurijit Nakornthap.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/PM-seeks-public-opinion-on-controversial-oil-conce-30254501.html


-- The Nation 2015-02-20

[Bob12345]

I don't know how to react to this following gem of a quote:

"Don't let this matter be decided by a few people. Thailand has 60 million people,'' Prayut said."

It would be too simple to use this quote against him with everything he does (when he and the elite decided to take over the country, when he decides which laws to introduce and saying "I am the PM, i decide these things", etc).

And this one is just too stupid for words:

"When asked if he would opt for a nationwide survey after the discussion, he said that could be one of the methods used."

So now we will get a survey where people who are not smart enough to pick a simple political party have to decide how oil-concessions have to be handled. Something not even oil-expert are able to agree upon?

Edited February 20, 2015 by Bob12345

[toybits]

But aren't those unwashed millions in the provinces incapable of deliberating on such an important issue like the Oil Concession Plan? They can't even choose the right person for their PM.

[Plowman]

How about competing political parties put forward their respective policies and Thailand holds an election - surely this is the best way to find out what the people want. I know it's a bold idea, but let us call it democracy and give it a go.

[Alwyn]

"Don't let this matter be decided by a few people. Thailand has 60 million people,'' Prayut said." What? Sort of like an election..... And then he can ride rough-shod over any democratic decision to big himself up

[khaowong1]

And he thinks Somchai has any idea's about petroleum exploration concessions? About the only thing Somchai knows about petroleum, is he can get a few liters at the petrol station. I'm guessing most Thai's have no idea where there petrol comes from or the processes needed to turn it into diesel or gasoline.