ASEAN Energy Cooperation: Its Impact on Thailand

Abstract

This article gives an overview of the ASEAN energy sector and ASEAN energy -related cooperation. Energy cooperation is an important factor infl uencing the success of the ASEAN Economic Community. It is expected that such cooperation will bring various benef its to Thailand. These potential benef its include a reduction in energy costs, increased security of the energy supply, and an opportunity to become a production and trading hub for ethanol in this region. However, the ASEAN countries generally put more emphasis on their own national agendas than on cooperation. In addition, the development of the ASEAN Power Grid and Trans-ASEAN Gas Pipeline has necessitated a large investment requirement and been forced to contend with some technical difficulties. Thus, the progress of strengthening energy cooperation has been slow.