Permanent Sovereignty Over Natural Resources Policy: A Case Study of Patron-Client Relationship in Petroleum Resources Management of Thailand

Abstract

The objective of this research is to study public policy in the management of petroleum resources in Thailand. By conducting a comparative study between the concession system used in Thailand and the contractual system used in ASEAN countries. From the research found that providing petroleum concessions to the private sector causes the state to have limited sovereignty over its own resources. Thailand's recent petroleum policy aimed at meeting the interests of private companies and stakeholders in the policy making process more than meeting the interests of the country for energy security and society as a whole. Because resources when being brought up from under the earth Became a private monopoly rights to maximize profits for shareholders. While the ASEAN countries have switched to the contractual system which the government will still have complete ownership of the resources, therefore bring energy security in the traditional security dimension and in the non-traditional security dimension that gives importance to the welfare and well-being of humans. Although the concession system has disadvantages to Thailand than other systems, the concession system has remained stable to this day. This is because the elite, who has the power and duty to formulate the petroleum policy, is a group of political leaders, military, senior government officials and academics who have received a large share of the benefits from being appointed as a company director in the petroleum business. Groups of policymakers, therefore, have a friendly posture (Allies) or agree with the concession system more than opposed to the concession system.