The rig is owned by the Thai oil company PTTEP.

If a key exporter like this limits foreign sales, it would be very much like Saudi Arabia reducing oil exports, "said James Adams, vice President of the bank's East Asia and Pacific department."

This year's Thailand Open is being co-sponsored by Singha Corporation, PTT Public Company Limited, Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (TCEB), Emirates, and CAT Telecom Public Company Limited.