Thai state energy company PTT is reported to be planning to establish an LNG trading operation in Singapore as the country looks to grow its gas imports.

The company is said to have recruited Daisuke Matsuoka from Itochu Petroleum to run the desk, reports Reuters quoting unnamed sources.

Before the Japanese trading house he is said to have worked at Shell, BP, BG and Mitsubishi Corp, according to his LinkedIn profile.

Thailand’s LNG imports are expected to double over the next five years to 10mt per annum (mtpa) at the country’s only LNG terminal at Map Ta Phut.

The country remains on a long-term course to boost imports as domestic natural gas production declines and overland imports from neighbouring Myanmar decline.

Last year it was reported that the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) was looking to import up to 1.5mtpa of LNG directly for the first time.

The move was said to be part of a government plan to boost competition and break the monopoly of PTT, which is Thailand’s sole gas supplier.

Earlier in the year Doha-based gas giant Qatargas said it was teaming up with EGAT to explore collaborative efforts in the LNG sector.

Qatargas has previously stated that it sees Thailand as an evolving LNG market and recognizes its growth potential within South East Asia.