Enron eyes Thai power sector

Enron eyes Thai power sector

SINGAPORE (Dow Jones): Houston-based energy company Enron
Corp. is exploring investment opportunities in Thailand's natural
gas and electricity sectors, according to industry reports.

Enron officials met with Thai government officials late last
week to discuss potential energy-related projects in the country,
reports said.

Enron's move into Thailand - prompted by the nation's plans to
deregulate its power sector and a recovery in Asian markets this
year - is part of its strategy to expand its activities in Asia,
Enron officials said.

The Thai government is planning to sell a 40 percent stake in
its 4,600-megawatt Ratchaburi power plant by 2000. The government
will hold a 33 percent stake in Ratchaburi after the sale.

"We recently decided Enron has to be in Thailand and are
considering a number of energy development projects," Enron
International's managing director Michael Brown said in the July
9 Global Power Report.