Sumet said His Majesty the King had experimented with producing energy from alternative sources and some of these projects had been successful.

"Hence His Majesty wants the agencies to have the courage to experiment with these alternative sources of power too," he said.

Sumet spoke at yesterday's seminar hosted by the Energy Ministry.

He urged Thais to adopt a self-sufficient economic policy instead of aiming to catch up with foreign countries without thinking what Thais really wanted.

Sumet also noted that if Thais failed to reassess their potential and simply followed in the footsteps of other countries in pursuit of economic development the country would have to borrow more money and buy technology from foreigners.

"We will be in a disadvantageous position, even though we have resources sufficient for our needs," he said. For instance, Thailand has the land for alternative energy projects, water for hydroelectric dams and wind and solar power resources which have not been developed and utilised, he said.

Sumet said that if Thailand let the flow of oil imports continue at current levels it would face serious problems.

"We shouldn't consume beyond our means," he said, adding that Thais should use their native acumen to solve problems peacefully in line with His Majesty the King's remarks.

On the current political impasse, he said all parties should think of the country's interests, consider the causes and the consequences of the problems and solve them according to the principles of dharma.

"Incidents in the past brought sadness to all of us," he said. "It's time for us to negotiate, to find the root cause of the conflicts. Good sense will extricate us from conflict. Try anything that works. Don't be constrained by tradition."

Sumet said that His Majesty the King had made three suggestions for energy management.

They include acting  rationally, not emotionally. Second, adhere to principles of self-sufficiency and attempt nothing beyond one's means and third, create a preventive risk-management system.

Watcharapong Thongrung

The Nation