Thailand must build more coal-fired and new nuclear plants to meet its energy needs and strength en energy security as future supplies of natural gas are uncertain, engineers said 5 yesterday. Academics from Chulalongkom University's Faculty of Engineering made the comments at a press briefing Tuesday. Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha late last month ordered the halt of a planned coal-fired power 10 plant and seaport in southern Krabi province after protests against the projects. He appointed a panel comprising representatives from the government, National Reform Council, National Legislative Assembly and public sector to discuss alternative solutions, including renewable energy options. 15 Pinyo Meechumna, from Chulalongkom's Department of Mining and Petroleum Engineering, said the country s energy security was at risk as its power plants rely too heavily on natural gas. of the country's natural gas consumption, 70% is domestically produced while the rest is purchased from neighbouring countries. He said if this situation continued, natural gas supplies from the Gulf of 20 Thailand would be depleted within the next eight years. The country must reduce its heavy reliance