Thai Govt mulls satellite buy-back

The Nation, February 18, 2007

Minister to discuss moves to regain assets with Sonthi; says ties with Singapore should not be affected


Information and Communications Technology Minister Sitthichai Pookaiyaudom will meet with junta leaders this week to discuss ways of regaining control of satellites from Singapore's Temasek Holdings.


Council for National Security chairman General Sonthi Boonyaratglin has vowed to reclaim the satellites.


"The ministry has been studying the concession for the operation of the satellites and I have yet to complete a review of this, so I cannot comment any further," Sitthichai said yesterday.


He said his discussion with Sonthi would shed more light on the move. It is unclear at this time how Thailand will proceed, he added.


He dismissed concerns that negotiations over the satellites might sour bilateral relations.


"If the two sides are willing to cooperate, then there shouldn't be any impact on bilateral relations," he said.


Sitthichai was reacting to press reports that Singapore's foreign ministry was puzzled by Sonthi's remarks on Friday and had demanded clarification.


Sonthi had said that under Thai and international law, satellites were national property that could not be bought and sold.


The sale of Shin Corp last January allowed the Singaporean company to gain control of Shin Satellite, the holder of the operating licence for ThaiCom satellites.


Government spokesman Yongyuth Mayalarp said Sonthi's remarks had voiced an opinion shared by many people.


"The public sentiment on the issue of satellites is a shared feeling among Thai people, and [Sonthi's remarks] should not be construed to tarnish relations with Singapore," he said.


Yongyuth added that if clarification were needed, it would be conveyed by diplomatic channels.


Prime Minister's Office Minis-ter Prasith Kowilaikul refused to comment before studying details of the operating licences.


"I think the issue in question is about the concession contract for the operating licence, and not relations between Thailand and Singapore," he said.


Foreign Minister Nitya Pibulsonggram said Thai-Singaporean ties were being looked at following a spat when ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra visited the island-state.


Thai Rak Thai Party spokesman Sita Divari reminded Sonthi not to politicise the issue as a pretext for attacking Thaksin.


"I understand if Sonthi wants to address a national security issue, but would disagree with him should he want to smear Thaksin," Sita said.


Democrat Party deputy leader Alongkorn Pollabutr voiced support for Sonthi to repurchase the satellites.


This could be done either by raising funds via the sale of government bonds or by ordering state-controlled CAT Telecom to take over Shin Satellite, he said.


In explaining his controversial remarks, Sonthi said he had no political agenda.


"Thais see their satellites as national property and want to resume control of them," he said.


He said it was up to the government to decide how to proceed. He added that he had intended his remarks to raise the awareness of patriotism and not affect Thai-Singaporean relations.