PRIME MINISTER General Prayut Chan-o-cha said yesterday he wanted to seek public opinion on whether the government should go ahead with the 21st round of bidding for petroleum exploration concessions.
Opponents of concessions, who call themselves People's Network for Energy Reform, have suggested that the government switch to the production-sharing system, which they say will be more flexible and beneficial to the country.
"Today this group and the state [will have their say], but what about other groups? If we listen to one side, we will only get information from those who oppose the concession. Meanwhile, the state also has its own information and principles. They both have different opinions. We have to ask others. People should listen to both sides and decide. Don't let this matter be decided by a few people. Thailand has 60 million people,'' Prayut said.
He went on to say that though he would not be able to attend the forum at Government House today, he would keep himself updated with the live broadcast. The forum is being held to discuss whether the petroleum exploration concession should be replaced with a production-sharing contract.
As for his decision to stay away from the forum, Prayut denied it was because he did not want to confront the other side. He said that neither he nor other state officials had a vested interest in the concession. "I believe the people at the forum will not have any private interests [in the concession] either, especially not with the country being in the state it is in," he said.
When asked about what would happen if the forum was not able to come up with an agreement, Prayut said then he would have to find a new way to resolve the matter. When asked if he would opt for a nationwide survey after the discussion, he said that could be one of the methods used.
The Energy Ministry on Monday extended the deadline for petroleum exploration bids from February 18 to March 16, pending further discussion at the forum.
When asked if the ministry might move the deadline beyond March 16, Prayut said everything should be completed by next month.
"The ministry should explain what needs to be changed or what measures should be issued. If the deadline has to be postponed, then there should be valid reason," the PM said.
The forum will be held between 9am and 3pm, and state-run Channel 11 will broadcast the answers to the nine questions posed by the public. The forum will comprise of four state representatives and four from those opposing the concession.
Representatives nominated by the public sector to attend the forum include National Reform Council member Rosana Tositrakul, academic ML Kornkasiwat Kasemsri, while state representatives include PTT chairman Piyasvasti Amranand and Energy Ministry deputy permanent secretary Kurijit Nakornthap.