Oil exploration off Samui ‘will continue’
Energy Minister Wannarat Charnnukul said yesterday the ministry could not terminate the four oil exploration concessions off the resort island of Samui as the concession-holders are not conducting any practices that breach the law or cause serious environmental damage.
His remarks came after Samui residents protested against the concessions out of concern about the economic and environmental damage they could cause. They earlier had also asked Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to terminate the exploration concessions of the four companies: Chevron Petroleum (Thailand), Salamander Energy (Bualuang), NuCoastal (Thailand) and Pearl Oil (Amata).
The four firms have concessions to explore for petroleum at sites 42 km-110 km off Koh Samui in Surat Thani.
