Thailand wants to be EITI member

BANGKOK, April 22 (TNA) - The Thai government eyes to apply for membership in the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) to show international investors that the country's utilisation of local resources is transparent. General Anantaporn Kanchanarat, head of the government committee tasked with examining government spending, told journalists on Tuesday that the government will seek Thailand's membership in EITI to invite the organisation to certify transparent resource management in the country based on the international standard. General Anantaporn said before the application, the Thai government is to educate local people in this area and follow instructions set by EITI. General Anantaporn noted that the Ministry of Energy will be responsible for the preparation to seek Thailand's membership in EITI, which, once approved, will make Thailand become credible among international investors. EITI is a multi-stakeholder international organisation which maintains a standard and assesses the levels of transparency of member countries’ oil, gas and mineral resources. (TNA)