Future of Alternative Energy in Thailand - Implementing Environmental and Resource Management - page 102

rail and water transportation infrastructure should be improved and upgraded to
provide better networking as well as more access and connection points. In Bang-
kok, mass rapid transport (electric train) should expand its service areas to allow
passengers to change their mode of transportation to public ones. Nevertheless, the
mass transportation option could fail if the citizens still favor the use of their own
vehicles.
3. To use more alternative energy is one of the key strategies for reducing the
consumption of imported crude oil. In order to achieve renewable energy target
goal of 8% in 2011, particularly at current economic downturn, one important fac-
tor must be overcome: how to make alternative energy competitive in an era of
low-priced conventional fuels? One solution could be - finding an opportunity in
crisis periods, when the transition to renewables is easier. In Germany and China
the governments support generation projects for renewable power, which will sus-
tain the long-term energy demand and help to reach their CO 2 emission targets.
Adaptation to the market conditions, cost control, resilience capacity and appro-
priate alternative energy technologies are essential. Short-term and long-term sup-
port measures in adition to new initiatives from the Thai government for proper
pricing strategies are needed, and should go hand in hand.
The historic tendency to look at Thailand's energy consumption collectively,
and in particular mainly through the perspective of the government, is especially
inappropriate as one looks to the future. As the global environment is continually
changing, the economy, companies and industries have their own adaptability and
resilience. Shifting the focus of problem/question may provide not only a new per-
spective but also the most effective solution. For example changing the focus from
“how much energy do we need?” to “how much energy do we have?” may start an
investigation into how to appropriately match and configure future energy re-
sources in Thailand.
References
Amranand P (2008) Alternative Energy, Cogeneration and Distributed Generation: Crucial
Strategy for Sustainability of Thailand's Energy Sector. Special Report. Energy Policy
and Planning Office, Ministry of Energy, Thailand. Internet address: http://www.eppo.go.th/
doc/Piya-RE-in-Thailand.pdf, last accessed on 09.11.2010
Channukul W (2008) Thailand's Energy Policy. Ministry of Energy, Thailand. Internet ad-
dress: http://www.eppo.go.th/doc/policy-wannarat-E.html, last accessed on 09.11.2010
Chatkaew Y (2008) Mass Rapid Transit and the used of energy efficiency in transportation
sector, Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA), National Science and
Technology Congress, Bangkok, 17 Sept. 2008, Congress Report (in Thai)
DEDE - Department of Alternative Energy Development and Efficiency (2007) Thailand
Energy Situation. Ministry of Energy. ISSN 0857-8494
DEDE - Department of Alternative Energy Development and Efficiency (2008) Proceed-
ings of Alternative Energy Workshop, 21 April 2008, Prince Palace Hotel, Bangkok
(in Thai). Ministry of Energy. Internet address: