Thai authorities discuss US request to use U-tapao airport

BANGKOK, June 18 (TNA) - Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra convened security authorities concerned Monday to discuss a recent request by the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to use the U-tapao military airport in Thailand's eastern resort Chonburi province as a base for its climate studies. The Thai security authorities attending the meeting included Deputy Prime Minister General Yuthasak Sasiprapa, who oversees national security, Defence Minister Air Chief Marshal Sukumpol Suwanatat, Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul, Army Chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha, Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal Itthiporn Supawong, and Navy chief Admiral Surasak Rounroengrom. Air Chief Marshal Sukumpol told journalists that he and the foreign minister initially agreed that the US approach should not affect national security but he would discuss all aspects of the issue with the prime minister and the concerned security authorities. Air Chief Marshal Sukumpol revealed that NASA has asked to send three planes for the climate studies in August-September 2012 and Thai authorities can monitor all stages of its operations. The defence minister insisted that Thailand's classified security information would remain intact, pointing out that NASA had conducted such studies in many countries, including neighboring Cambodia. The defence minister also dismissed rumours that the Thai government was allowing the United States to use the U-tapao Airport in exchange for a visa for exiled ex-Thai prime minister Thaksin, saying that the exchange was impossible and the criticism only discredited the Thai government and was also ridiculous. Meanwhile, the foreign minister acknowledged that NASA first wrote to his ministry in March this year to seek permission for cloud surveys to support weather forecasts, but the Thai authorities were concerned over impacts on neighboring countries and recommended that the US discuss the issue with the neighboring countries as NASA planes would also pass their skies. As no neighbouring countries oppose the operations, the foreign minister noted that NASA wrote to him again early this month and the issue has already been forwarded to the Cabinet for further consideration, and that Thai officials would always board the NASA flights in which cloud samples would then be collected for the planned studies. (TNA)