Thai govt continues to tackle energy security problems

Govt continues to tackle energy security problems

BANGKOK, 19 June 2017 (NNT) – The committee for strategic national administration has met to discuss solutions to various issues affecting the country’s energy security. 

Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha presided over the meeting of the committee for strategic national administration, also known as the Mini Cabinet. Participants discussed possible measures for solving problems and obstacles concerning national energy security faced by the Ministry of Energy. 

One of the issues brought up during the meeting was the suspension of gas exploration projects within areas supervised by the Agricultural Land Reform Office (ALRO). On June 1 this year, the Supreme Administrative Court issued an order repealing the regulation that allowed for the use of natural resources in ALRO land for purposes other than agriculture. The ruling has forced seven concession companies to halt their exploration projects and will, in turn, impact energy security and state revenue. 

In response to the case, the Prime Minister admitted that the matter remains problematic. He said he sympathizes with state officials tasked with solving the issue but affirmed that the rule of law has to be upheld.

 

-- nnt 2017-06-19