Thailand is
being urged to step up joint development and know-how exchanges with Malaysia
and Indonesia on ethanol and biodiesel to stave off reliance on oil imports,
according to energy veterans.
"We
should get more serious in joint development of biofuels, as in the future the
oil price will definitely increase," said Khunying Thongtip Ratanarat,
Thailand's energy guru and former executive director of the Petroleum Institute
of Thailand.
Joint
development "will help strengthen the Asean Economic Community in the
future because we can grow, blend, sell and consume by ourselves."
The
energy veteran also blasted the current palm oil price structure, saying
Thailand's oil price is now distorted by political policy.
Praipol
Koomsap, an economist from Thammasat University, said biofuel will not only
enhance self-reliance in this region, but it will also reduce greenhouse gas
emissions from fossil fuels.
He said
the crude oil supply could be disrupted if there is conflict in the Middle
East.
Thailand
imports more than 50% of its crude oil from this region, so Asean should think
more seriously about alternative fuels, he said.
Thailand
is a net importer of oil, with imports worth 800 billion baht per year, while
energy demand is rising by 5% per year.
The country's
import dependence is expected to increase to 80% in 2030, up from the current
60%. Thailand spent 6.8% of its GDP on oil imports in 2008, projected to rise
to 8.5% by 2030.
Independent
economist Kriengsak Chareonwongsak suggested Thailand should set a long-term
goal of alternative fuel in line with the Asean Economic Community and should
have an action plan, not just tentative plan.
"A
few decades ago Brazil announced it will become a global production hub for
ethanol. Its state and private sectors have worked closely on joint
development," said Dr Kriengsak.
He
proposed Thailand terminate subsidies, particularly liquefied petroleum gas.
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