Surakiart Sathirathai, Chairman of the board of the Petroleum Authority of Thailand Exploration and Production (PTTEP) company, poses in his Bangkok office June 22. Surakiart told Reuters that the demand for natural gas is seen as solid despite recession, as Thailand switches to natural gas from fuel oil for generating power. Thailand's stock market darling PTT Exploration and Production Plc (PTTE.BK) sees a solid outlook for the company, despite an economic downturn and looming liberalisation on natural gas market. Behind Surakiart hangs a portrait of Thailand's King Rama V, the revered king who started modernising Thailand.

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