The Ministry of Energy is preparing to open a bidding round for the right to explore and produce petroleum in three offshore exploration blocks in the Gulf of Thailand: Exploration Block Nos. G1/65, G2/65, and G3/65. Announced in April 2022 with an eye toward national energy sustainability and security, this is the first opportunity for exploration of new offshore areas in 15 years. The total area of the three exploration blocks is 35,164.01 square kilometers, and operations in the exploration blocks will be subject to the terms and conditions of the required production sharing contract (PSC). Under the PSC, the Thai government is entitled to receive royalty payments against profits, any applicable cost recovery, and profit petroleum. The government also has the authority to monitor the petroleum operations in collaboration with the successful bidder. On July 27, 2022, the Department of Mineral Fuels (DMF) held a conference for prospective investors in order to clarify general information regarding the petroleum bidding round. Currently, interested investors can request the right to enter the bidding-round data room located at the DMF by emailing [email protected] by September 2, 2022. To participate in the bidding round, interested investors must submit an application together with required documents to the DMF during the period of September 5–16, 2022. For further information on the bidding round, or on any aspect of energy law in Thailand, please contact Tilleke & Gibbins at [email protected] or +66 2056 5555.

On February 9, 2022, the Director-General of the Department of Mineral Fuels (DMF) stated that the DMF is planning to request that the Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of Energy sign an invitation to open bids for Petroleum Exploration and Production Licenses in the Gulf of Thailand for the first time in 15 years. The DMF’s Chief Department expects that this auction, which will cover three offshore areas, could increase Thailand’s petroleum reserves, and it could lead to the possible discovery of new sources of petroleum for Thailand, which would boost the country’s energy resources, and reduce losses from energy imports. The plots in the Gulf of Thailand that will be auctioned in the 24th bid round are as follows: Plot No. G1/65 with a total area of 8,487 square kilometers. This area is divided into 2 sub-areas: Area A totaling 8,298.49 square kilometers, and Area B totaling 188.71 square kilometers; Plot G2/65 with a total area of 15,030 square kilometers; and Plot No. G3/65 with a total area of 11,646.67 square kilometers. This area is divided into 2 sub-areas: Area A totaling 11,028.22 square kilometers, and Area B totaling 618.45 square kilometers. Generally, Thailand initiates its concession and production sharing contract process with the announcement of an exploration area or a plot in the Government Gazette. Thereafter, the DMF Committee will consider and announce the invitation, so that private sector firms can submit their applications to receive respective rights. The DMF’s sub-committee will consider the applications by: checking the qualifications stipulated under Section 24 of the Petroleum Act; assessing the suitability of the exploration project; and determining the benefits which are offered by the applicant. After considering the requests, the DMF’s sub-committee will consider the petroleum laws and regulations, before submitting the matter to the Petroleum Committee—under

The Energy Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) has launched a pilot project to study the energy consumption and the economic, social, and environmental impact of electric motorcycle taxis, as well as the behavior of drivers and passengers. The project, which was launched on December 27, 2021, as part of EGAT’s Carbon Neutrality Policy, will continue for a year, after which EGAT will consider the data and decide whether electric motorcycle taxis should be introduced nationwide. EGAT is also currently encouraging the use of electric bikes within their own organization, and they initially expect this to help reduce annual carbon dioxide emissions by 37 tons and prevent the release of about 838,000 milligrams of dust per year. EGAT expects additional significant reductions from electric motorcycle taxi pilot projects in multiple locations. A study conducted in Kenya in 2015 by that country’s energy regulator found that sub-150cc motorcycles emit approximately 46.5 grams of carbon dioxide per kilometer, and these emissions increase proportionally in accordance with engine size. According to Thailand’s Office of Industrial Economics, citing data collected by the Federation of Thai Industries Automotive Industry Group, a total of 1,516,096 motorcycles were sold in Thailand in 2020—a surprisingly robust figure in light of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Assuming that public motorcycles travel an average of 15,000 kilometers per year, each motorcycle is therefore producing approximately 0.7 tons of carbon dioxide per year. If Thailand is able to change 50% of its yearly sales of standard motorcycle to electric motorcycles, annual carbon dioxide emissions could decrease by approximately 530,000 tons. Furthermore, since 28.8% of carbon dioxide emissions in Thailand are generated from the transport sector, the transition to electric mobility vehicles looks to be one of the most promising solutions for lowering carbon dioxide emissions in the country. Considering developments