Thailand’s major oil company PTTEP has recently signed a memorandum of understanding with Myanmar Oil and Gas Enterprise (MOGE), a state-owned enterprise controlled by the military council. The memorandum includes plans to expand production at the Yadana offshore natural gas field, which generates revenue for the military council. Justice For Myanmar (JFM), a human rights organization, has issued a warning statement calling for PTTEP to cease its business operations with the military council and stop providing financial support.
PTTEP is the largest investor and operator of natural gas projects in Myanmar, including Yadana, Zawtika, and M3 blocks, and continues to generate profits for the military council through new well drilling operations. Even as Myanmar suffers from earthquake damage, the military council continues to conduct airstrikes against civilian populations. JFM points out that the Thai government, which owns shares in PTTEP’s parent company PTT, is complicit in the military council’s war crimes and crimes against humanity by allowing PTTEP to continue generating revenue for the military.
JFM urges PTTEP to immediately cease providing funds to the military and secure all revenues in a protected bank account. If the company fails to do so, it must responsibly withdraw from all business operations in Myanmar. Civil society organizations emphasize that the international community should stop any business activities that generate income for the military council, as it continues to commit violence and oppression against the people of Myanmar. The military council’s ongoing human rights violations and brutal treatment of civilians make it imperative for international businesses to reconsider their operations that financially support the regime.
