Bangkok post (25/6/98) News

[mandalay@xxxxxxxxxx]

News headlines

----------------------------------------

1:) Last line of Thai-Burma pipeline laid

-----------------------------------------


<bold>Last line of Thai-Burma pipeline laid

</bold><italic>Border demarcation hitch is cleared up

</italic>

<italic>Bhanravee Tansubhapol

</italic>

The Petroleum Authority of Thailand yesterday laid the last stretch of a
Thai-Burmese gas pipeline after clearing a last minute doubt over border
demarcation, a PTT official said.

	The work went ahead after high level prompting by Burmese authorities,
who were anxious to ensure that the pipeline could begin delivering gas
from Burma to Thailand on Wednesday July 1 as scheduled.

	PTT authorities laid the final stretch, measuring about four meters, at
Ban 1-tong, in Kanchanaburi province, after receiving assurances from
Thai and Burmese authorities that it would not obstruct subsequent border
demarcation work in the area.

	"We were worried that there would be problems with border demarcation
work later if we laid the pipeline in that area," an official said.

	With only finishing touches, mainly joining work, to be done the
official expressed confidence that the pipeline would be ready to deliver
by Wednesday.

	The controversial pipeline, measuring 270 kilometers altogether, is set
to supply gas from Burma's Yadana field in the Gulf of Martaban via
kanchanaburi province to a power plant in Ratchaburi.

	A foreign ministry source said pressure for the last stretch to be
completed came of the State Peace and Development Council.

	Their concerns were expressed by Burmese Energy Minister Brig-Gen Lun
Thi to Thai ambassador in Rangoon Pensak Charalak on June 4.

	The Burmese ministry at the same time turned down a proposal_ put
forward in April by Deputy Foreign Minister Sukhumbhand Paribatra_ for
technical teams to discuss border demarcation at Ban 1-tong and two other
disputed areas he identified as priorities.

--------------------------- Bangkok post news ------------