Piyasvasti Amranand

Piyasvasti Amranand was Thailand's Energy Minister between 9th October 2006 and 6th February 2008. He is former Secretary-General of the Thai National Energy Policy Office and Chairman of Kasikorn Asset Management. His current position is Chairman of Panel of Advisors for CEO of Kasikorn Bank.

During the 1990's, Piyasvasti played a key role in deregulating and privatizing a number of energy-related state enterprises like PTT and power generation business.During his term as Energy Minister he implemented wide ranging reforms in the energy sector, for instance end of oil price subsidy and repayment of oil fund's massive debt due to the previous government' s subsidy program; implementaion of very aggressive policy to promote renewable energy (including biofuels), cogeneration and distributed generation; adoption of Euro 4 fuel qualities and introduction of vapour recovery systems for petrol stations; adoption of a number of standards and incentive programs for energy efficiency; awards of a large number of petroleum concessions; IPP solicitation; conclusion of a number of power purchase agreements for projects in Lao PDR; establishment of nuclear power program with a target for 4,000 MW of nuclear capacity in 2020-21; and amendment of a number of energy related laws. The most important law to be passed during his term as Energy Minister was the Energy Industry Act to establish an independent regulatory body for electricity and natural gas industry. The law was also the most important factor which saved PTT Public Co.,Ltd from being nationalized in the court case brought against the government and PTT by the Consumers Association.

ee also

* Energy Industry Liberalization and Privatization (Thailand)

References

* [http://www.eppo.go.th/admin/index_secgen_piyasvasti.html Short biography]