Bangkok--Mar 28--MFA
On 25 March 2008, Mr. Noppadon Pattama, Minister of Foreign Affairs, paid an official visit, on behalf of the Royal Thai Government, to Vientiane, the Lao P.D.R., to join Dr. Thongloun Sisoulith, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Lao P.D.R. in signing the MOU on Electric Power Development Cooperation between Thailand — Lao P.D.R.
The cooperation on electric power development between Thailand and Lao P.D.R. is one of the priorities in terms of collaborative projects between the two countries, aiming to promote Lao P.D.R. as an energy supply source for the Mekong Sub-Region, so-called “Battery of Asia,” and to increase the country’s national income in an attempt to upgrade Lao P.D.R. from an underdeveloped country within the year 2020.
Preceding this event, both sides had signed the MOU on Electric Power Development Cooperation in Lao P.D.R. on 20 December 2007. According to the said MOU, the Thai side had agreed to purchase more electrical power from Lao P.D.R., increasing from 5,000 megawatts to 7,000 megawatts within 2015. At the present, there are ten electrical power projects, including two electrical power projects current generating electricity for the EGAT system and the rest agreed by the two Governments in principle for future operation, totaling 5,851 megawatts.
The MOU was the result of the discussion between the two prime ministers during the official visit of the Thai Prime Minister to Lao P.D.R. on 29 February — 1 March 2008. On that occasion, both sides agreed to support their private sectors to undertake a feasibility study on a hydroelectric power development project along the Mekong River in the sector between Khongjiam, Ubon Ratchathani on the Thai side and Sanasomboon, Champasak, on the Lao side. In this connection, both sides agreed to authorize their government agencies to supervise the project and coordinate with the Italian-Thai Development Company and Asia Corp. on the feasibility study. Then, these agencies will submit a report on the result of the study to the two Governments for consideration on the future plan of the project.
During the visit, the Foreign Minister also took the opportunity to exchange views with Deputy Prime Minister Thongloun on several topics to strengthen bilateral relations and cooperation between the two countries, especially about the Thai — Lao boundary issue, such as the building of a railway link and the third Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge. In addition, both sides also discussed the Hmong issue as well as energy cooperation between the two countries.
Prime Minister at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Press Division, Department of Information Tel.(02) 643-5170
Fax. (02) 643-5169 E-mail : div0704@mfa.go.th End.
-PM-
On 25 March 2008, Mr. Noppadon Pattama, Minister of Foreign Affairs, paid an official visit, on behalf of the Royal Thai Government, to Vientiane, the Lao P.D.R., to join Dr. Thongloun Sisoulith, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Lao P.D.R. in signing the MOU on Electric Power Development Cooperation between Thailand — Lao P.D.R.
The cooperation on electric power development between Thailand and Lao P.D.R. is one of the priorities in terms of collaborative projects between the two countries, aiming to promote Lao P.D.R. as an energy supply source for the Mekong Sub-Region, so-called “Battery of Asia,” and to increase the country’s national income in an attempt to upgrade Lao P.D.R. from an underdeveloped country within the year 2020.
Preceding this event, both sides had signed the MOU on Electric Power Development Cooperation in Lao P.D.R. on 20 December 2007. According to the said MOU, the Thai side had agreed to purchase more electrical power from Lao P.D.R., increasing from 5,000 megawatts to 7,000 megawatts within 2015. At the present, there are ten electrical power projects, including two electrical power projects current generating electricity for the EGAT system and the rest agreed by the two Governments in principle for future operation, totaling 5,851 megawatts.
The MOU was the result of the discussion between the two prime ministers during the official visit of the Thai Prime Minister to Lao P.D.R. on 29 February — 1 March 2008. On that occasion, both sides agreed to support their private sectors to undertake a feasibility study on a hydroelectric power development project along the Mekong River in the sector between Khongjiam, Ubon Ratchathani on the Thai side and Sanasomboon, Champasak, on the Lao side. In this connection, both sides agreed to authorize their government agencies to supervise the project and coordinate with the Italian-Thai Development Company and Asia Corp. on the feasibility study. Then, these agencies will submit a report on the result of the study to the two Governments for consideration on the future plan of the project.
During the visit, the Foreign Minister also took the opportunity to exchange views with Deputy Prime Minister Thongloun on several topics to strengthen bilateral relations and cooperation between the two countries, especially about the Thai — Lao boundary issue, such as the building of a railway link and the third Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge. In addition, both sides also discussed the Hmong issue as well as energy cooperation between the two countries.
Prime Minister at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Press Division, Department of Information Tel.(02) 643-5170
Fax. (02) 643-5169 E-mail : div0704@mfa.go.th End.
-PM-