Ms. Lalida Persvivatana, Deputy Spokesperson of the Office of the Prime Minister, stated that the Cabinet has approved the draft document to extend the memorandum of understanding on investments in upstream liquefied natural gas (LNG) businesses between Thailand and Japan.
This also includes the LNG tank cooperation initiative between the Ministry of Energy of the Kingdom of Thailand and the Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry of Japan, as proposed by the Ministry of Energy.
In addition, the Cabinet approved that the Minister of Energy or a delegated person is authorized to sign the said document, which is scheduled to be signed during the Indo-Pacific Energy Security Ministerial and Business Forum (IPEM) between March 14–15, 2026, in Tokyo, Japan.
The original memorandum of understanding between Thailand and Japan was signed on November 16, 2022, with the goal of establishing a framework for cooperation in investments in upstream LNG businesses and LNG tank cooperation, to strengthen energy security for both countries. The original term expired on November 16, 2025.
The present approval, therefore, extends the memorandum of understanding for another three years, from November 16, 2025, to November 15, 2028, and will be automatically renewed every three years unless either party gives written notice at least three months in advance of its intention not to renew.
Ms. Lalida stated that this extension of cooperation will enable Thailand and Japan to continue LNG cooperation seamlessly, which will be beneficial to strengthening national energy security. It will also further cement and bring greater tangibility to economic relations between the two countries.
Furthermore, this is an important opportunity for Thailand to explore and build upon cooperation with various countries to develop the Thai energy sector for greater long-term security and sustainability.
