Thailand prepares for temporary gas stop from Myanmar

BANGKOK, February 9 (TNA) - The Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) has prepared measures to cope with a temporary suspension of natural gas supply from neighbouring Myanmar. EGAT Deputy Governor for Transmission System Suthon Boonprasong told journalists on February 8 that EGAT has mapped out measures during the February 20-23 period, when natural gas supply from Myanmar will be halted. Assuring the public there will be no negative effect during the four-day period, Suthon said EGAT has been informed by PTT Public Company Limited (PTT) that Myanmar will temporarily stop supplying natural gas from its Yadana gas field in the Andaman Sea, as Yadana will be connected with a new gas field, named Badamyar. Suthon acknowledged that normal natural gas supply from Yadana during the period will, thus, be dropped by about 1,100 million cubic feet per day and six power generating plants on the western part of Thailand will be affected, including Ratchaburi Electricity Generating Holding Public Co., Ltd. (RATCH). Suthon insisted that approximately 22 million litres of bunker oil and 7 million litres of diesel will be used as substitution of natural gas supply from Yadana during the four-day suspension. However, the EGAT deputy governor urged the public to also help save power consumption during the period for the sake of national energy security. (TNA)