Army chief: NASA probably returns to Thailand with climate survey in 2013

BANGKOK, June 29 (TNA) - Thai Army Chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha has asked all parties to be prepared, as the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) may decide to return to Thailand for its climate survey project next year. General Prayuth told journalists on Friday that he hopes the NASA project will return to Thailand next year, as Thai scientists have confirmed that the project is useful. The army chief's remarks followed NASA's decision earlier this week to call off its climate survey project, called the Southeast Asia Composition, Cloud, Climate Coupling Regional Study (SEAC4RS), in Thailand this year because it could not wait for the Thai parliament to approve its use of the U-tapao Airport in the eastern Chonburi Province for the plan. The army chief insisted that the Royal Thai Armed Forces and the Thai government have no conflicts, as both sides have agreed that the issue has nothing to do with national security. Thai navy chief Admiral Surasak Rounroengrom also confirmed that the NASA project will not affect national security and the United States will not bring any military equipment to the U-tapao Airport. Meanwhile, Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra insisted that her government will continue to seek a parliamentary approval of the project, as NASA may return to Thailand for the SEAC4RS next year or in the future. (TNA)