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12 September, 2005
ICEM and its Thai affiliate EGAT-LU welcomed a report, passed by a 50-3 vote, from the nation’s Senate that opposes privatising the national Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT). The report was sent to the ruling government of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra calling for reforms to its plan to privatise 25% of the utility. Part of the report says that the entire electric distribution system must be excluded from sale because of its importance to citizens of Thailand. One senator opposing the government’s plan said the privatisation of EGAT would allow some ten wealthy families to own Thailand’s most profitable state enterprise. The government, however, has now revoked the statutory laws for the state run utility in anticipation of listing on the Stock Exchange of Thailand and that order has been sent to the King of Thailand for Royal decrees.