BANGKOK, Oct 6 – Thai Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul reaffirmed on Saturday that the country will benefit from the climate study project at U-tapao airport by NASA, while saying Thailand will lose advantage from politicalising the issue.
The foreign minister made his remarks in the premier’s weekly televised programme “Yingluck’s Government Meets People” this morning to clarify the request of the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) space agency to use U-tapao military airport in Rayong and Chon Buri as a springboard for climate studies.
Mr Surapong reiterated that NASA’s request was initiated during the Abhisit Vejjajiva administration and that claims that the use of U-tapao naval base will affect Thailand’s national security is distorted information.
The minister also dismissed allegations that granting the project permission will lead to possible conflict between world powers like China, India and the United States, and that it was done in exchange for granting a US entry visa for ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra.
“The U-tapao airport is situated in the middle of Southeast Asia, reasoned Mr Surapong. Thai scientists’ capabilities will be promoted.”
Mr Surapong noted that the NASA project has nothing to do with national security or the US military. He said it was climate studies and that other Southeast Asian countries, such as Singapore, Cambodia and Indonesia, also supported the project.
“Politicalising the issue make Thailand lose opportunities in science and technology development,” stated the foreign minister.
Meanwhile, Science and Technology Minister Plodprasob Surasawadi reasserted that Thailand will gain advantages from the NASA studies on accurately calculating weather conditions in the atmosphere.
He said the project is crucial for rainfall calculation and weather forecasting and the use of U-tapao airport is not spying as worried, although NASA’s ER-2 high-altitude aircraft, which had also been used as reconnaissance aircraft, will be used in the operations.
Mr Plodprasob said the ER2 has now been modified for scientific use only.
NASA called off the climate studies at U-tapao airport earlier this year after Thailand failed to approve the project.
The NASA project returned to the spotlight again during a parliamentary debate on Tuesday.
