Qatar to sell LNG to Thailand

BANGKOK, May 20 (TNA) - Qatar will sell two million tonnes of liquefied natural gas to Thailand at concessional pricing for up to 20 years. Thai Energy Minister Arak Chonlatanon said on Sunday the agreement followed Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra’s visit to Qatar recently, and was aimed at strengthening relations between the two countries. According to the minister, PTT Public Company Limited of Thailand would deal with Qatar directly on the purchase, which was earmarked at a lower price than those sold to Japan and South Korea. He added that liquefied natural gas was an alternative in electricity production as natural gas production in the Gulf of Thailand would decline sharply in over the next decade. On investment matters, he said Thailand’s Ratchaburi Electricity Generating Holding was now exploring ways to invest in Qatar’s electricity production sector. He said the effort could turn out successful because the Thai company was able to produce power at a lower price compared to Western firms. (TNA)