BANGKOK, June 28 (AP/UNB) — The United States says it won't be able to carry out a climate study this year because Thailand has postponed granting NASA permission to use a key naval air base.
The American space agency's request to use Thailand's U-Tapao air base has faced opposition from critics who say it could be a cover for military purposes.
The Thai Cabinet decided on Tuesday to have lawmakers debate the issue after Parliament reconvenes Aug. 1, a month after a deadline NASA had set.
U.S. Embassy spokesman Walter Braunohler said Thursday that NASA can't wait because the climate study focuses on regional weather patterns that occur only in August and September.
He says it is too early to say whether NASA will revisit the project next year.
