Govt won't deny oil, gas to Cambodia

13/11/2009
Bangkok Post

Thailand has no plan to cut supply of oil and natural gas to Cambodia even though the diplomatic conflict between the two countries is escalating, Energy Minister Wannarat Channukul said on Friday.

Cambodia imported most of its energy needs from other countries.

"Thailand supplies a small amount of liquefied petroleum gas to Cambodia, only 300 tonnes a month,” Mr Wannarat said.

Thailand supplied only 10 per cent of its demand for petrol, diesel and bunker oil.

Cutting off this flow would have only minimal impact.

No gas in Koh Kong [after Thailand stepped up against unauthorized exports of cooking gas]

Friday December 07, 2007
Bangkok Post

TRAT: People in Cambodia's Koh Kong province are facing a shortage of cooking gas after Thai authorities stepped up a campaign against unauthorised exports of cooking gas.

Supoj Siadprathom, chairman of the provincial chamber of commerce, said the shortage is critical because almost 100% of the cooking gas in Koh Kong come from Trat's Klong Yai.

Pawat Lertmukda, the Klong Yai district chief, said the crackdown is in line with a directive from the National Energy Policy Office (Nepo).

Most of the cooking gas exporters in the district do not have permits from the Nepo, which requires that all traders return subsidies to the state oil fund.

The unauthorised exporters have made huge gains by exploiting the state oil fund and the marked-up price of cooking gas, said Mr Pawat.