NASA's Request Goes to Thai Parliament

BANGKOK, June 26 (Bernama) -- The Thai cabinet has decided to refer a request from an American space agency to use its U-tapao naval airbase in Rayong for regional climate study, to Parliament, although the latter has set today as the deadline for a reply. Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul said during a Cabinet meeting today, it was agreed that the Parliament should be used to explain the matter to the Thai society before making any decision. The next Parliament session starts in August. "The Cabinet did not approve the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)'s request because the opposition has blamed the government for not protecting the country's interest," he told reporters after attending a Cabinet meeting, here. Surapong was not sure whether NASA would carry out the study called Southeast Asia Composition, Cloud, Climate Coupling Regional Study (SEAC4RS) in Thailand in the future, following today's development. NASA had notified the Thai government it would withdraw its request if Thailand could not provide an answer by Tuesday, as it had to bring in equipment in advance before carrying out the August-September study. The issue became a controversial issue when the opposition Democrat party claimed that the Thai government agreed to the request in exchange for an entry visa to the United States for former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, which his sister, Yingluck's administration had strongly denied. "Thai government has no hidden agenda," said Surapong. Critics of the project also feared it may violate Thailand's territorial sovereignty and claimed it needed Parliament's approval, while some felt the project by NASA might raise concern on spying on Thailand's neighbours as it involved high-altitude flights. The government, on the other hand, felt that Thailand would gain scientific input from the project as it could help in its weather forecast capabilities especially, after the country experienced devastating floods which hit one-third of the country last year. Thai scientific community strongly believed that Thailand would lose a great chance to improve its atmospheric knowledge if NASA cancelled or moved the study elsewhere. Surapong believed the latest development would not affect the cordial Thai-American relationship and would explain the matter to the American Embassy, here. --BERNAMA