Thai Cabinet to consider NASA request next week

BANGKOK, June 22 (TNA) - Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul has announced that the Thai Cabinet will consider a recent request by the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to use Thailand's U-Tapao military airport to conduct climate studies at its next meeting on June 26. Surapong told journalists on Thursday 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 by the Thai government by June 26, as it could not relocate its equipment on time for its implementation of the project scheduled in August and September 2012. Surapong noted that the US letter said, however, that Washington understands Thailand's domestic situation, but confirming that the NASA proposed project will be considered by the Thai Cabinet next Tuesday so that the issue will be concluded, whether or not NASA will be allowed to use the U-Tapao Airport in Chonburi Province in the Thai East. Surapong acknowledged what Thailand will get from the NASA project is scientific knowledge the country has never had, cautioning that Thailand would lose benefits and knowledge if NASA withdrew the project. According to the Thai foreign minister, neighbouring Singapore and Cambodia have given a green light for NASA to overfly their airspace; while there has also been no objection from China. Regarding concerns over national security, the foreign minister revealed that local security agencies concerned have endorsed the NASA project and the Thai government has always taken public and national interests into account.(TNA)