Summary

To obtain endorsement by the Petroleum Committee, any permission for petroleum concessions and their direct contractors to import experts, specialists, along with their spouses and children, to serve their businesses under Section 69 of the Petroleum Act B.E. 2514 (1971) and to import necessary equipment, materials, and supplies for their petroleum operations under Section 70 needs to be deliberated by a subcommittee appointed to screen such matters and the Department of Mineral Fuels (DMF), Ministry of Energy.

Such privileges were instituted because of the government's policy to promote domestic petroleum exploration and production, because of the high investment and advanced technology required, because of the need for qualified personnel to apply such technology and efficient management techniques, and because of the very high risks involved in this business. The act therefore defined clauses to ease the work of concessionaires and direct contractors as follows:

"Section 69. Unless otherwise indicated under the immigration act, concessionaires and direct contractors may import specialists and experts, along with their spouses and children, as needed in their businesses and as many and as long as the Petroleum Committee considers suitable despite the quotas and time limits of the immigration law.

Concessionaires may appeal the ruling of the Committee to the Minister within 30 days from the date of receipt of the Committee's ruling. The Minister's ruling is considered final."

"Section 70. Concessionaires and direct contractors may import machinery, apparatus, equipment, structures, vehicles, equipment parts, and other materials needed for the businesses, subject to zero tariff under the customs and value-added tax laws under the revenue code. However, such items must first be ruled by the Petroleum Committee as necessary for the businesses. Concessionaires may appeal the ruling of the Committee to the Minister within 30 days of the date of receipt of ruling. ..."

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