Thai PM dismisses NASA deadline on June 26

BANGKOK, June 23 (TNA) - Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has dismissed the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)'s deadline on June 26 for the Thai government to give an answer on whether Thailand should allow it to use the U-tapao Airport in the eastern Chonburi province for its climate studies, explaining that her government has procedures to follow before making a final decision on the issue. Yingluck acknowledged on Friday that there has been no official conclusion on the NASA's proposed project and her Puea Thai Party-led administration is ready to forward the issue for parliamentary deliberation and approval if suggested by the Council of State. Besides, Yingluck said that the Thai Ministry of Science and Technology needs more information from NASA, including areas designated for climate surveys, and that a working group has already been set up to study the NASA project. The prime minister told journalists that she has no idea when the Thai Cabinet will consider the NASA project, as her government is waiting for opinions from all concerned agencies. According to the Thai premier, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will explain domestic developments and required procedures to the United States and she expects Washington will understand, insisting that there is no hidden agenda in the NASA's project which, was first proposed during the precedent Democrat Party-led Thai administration. Earlier, Thai Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul told reporters that the Thai Cabinet will consider the NASA project at its next meeting on June 26, noting that he had received a letter from the US Embassy to Thailand, informing that NASA would suspend its plan to use the U-Tapao Airport if there was no response from the Thai government by June 26. (TNA)