The Right Mix

What role do you see for LNG in Thailand’s future energy security?

Today, Thailand imports LNG and LPG. LPG is used in every sector and every part of Thailand, be it households, transportation, or industrial use, and demand for LPG is increasing throughout the country, even though it’s not increasing at the same rate as before. As for LNG, we import it and mix it with our own gas to produce electricity. This is part of our long-term electricity development plan, through which we’re trying to balance the portfolio so that LNG can play a bigger role in the future.

What role does the Middle East play in terms of Thailand’s efforts to secure energy independence?

Thailand and the Middle East have a longstanding relationship. As a net importer of energy, Thailand imports much of its oil and gas from the Middle East, mostly Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE. But in terms of LNG, we mainly import from Qatar.

Qatar is currently undergoing a major transformation in terms of trying to diversify its economy while also transitioning to renewable resources. How can Thailand and Qatar work together to develop renewable resources, and how can Thailand learn from Qatar’s economy and use it as a model for energy independence?

For the time being, Thailand and Qatar are not involved in any cooperation in terms of developing renewable energy resources. But Thailand is also committed to developing renewable energy technology, and in this regard we’re probably number one in ASEAN, and in the top five in all of Asia. If Qatar were to want to undertake any partnerships or projects in renewable energy, Thailand would more than welcome the opportunity to work with them in this regard.

What impact will Thailand’s joining the ASEAN Economic Community have on the energy needs of Thailand?

The ASEAN Economic Community is about connectivity, and Thailand is very strategically placed in the heart of the ASEAN mainland, which means we could easily connect with neighboring countries’ electricity power lines and grids, and also to natural gas pipelines. These kinds of connectivity mean that those resources can be optimized and that could bring these countries even closer together.