Defence minister backs Thai PM’s decision on NASA’s project

BANGKOK, June 27 (TNA) - Thai Defence Minister Air Chief Marshal Sukumpol Suwanatat has expressed his support for Pheu Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra’s decision to let the Parliament deliberate a request by the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to use the U-tapao Airport in Thailand's eastern Rayong province as a base for its atmospheric studies. Air Chief Marshal Sukumpol insisted Wednesday that academics and scientists have seen benefits of the NASA's proposed project and he, therefore, believed the United States should understand that the Thai government needs to let a parliamentary debate on the issue, as there appear to be some misunderstandings. The defence minister, however, raised a question why the opposition Democrat Party has criticized the NASA project, which was first proposed during its previous administration. The defence minister explained that the NASA project is separate from another NASA program on the setting up of a disaster relief center at the U-tapao Airport, acknowledging that the latter will also be, probably, criticized, asking concerned parties to adhere to reasons. (TNA)