The US space agency Nasa has notified the Foreign Ministry it will withdraw its request to use U-tapao naval air base if Thailand cannot give an answer by next Tuesday, Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul said on Thursday.
"The United States embassy has forwarded to us a letter from Nasa saying that it wants an answer by June 26. If by that day there is still no answer, it will cancel the project because it has to bring in equipment in advance, before August," Mr Surapong said.
"Therefore, this matter will definitely be forwarded to the cabinet for discussion next week."
The foreign minister said the Nasa request had been discussed with 18 major agencies in Thailand and they were of the opinion that the project was more for the country's benefit than being a political issue.
Mr Surapong also denied that there was an exchange deal demanded, involving an entry visa to the US for former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, as claimed by the opposition.
He said the request was not tabled for cabinet consideration on Tuesday this week because the National Security Council (NSC) had not yet officially given its opinion.
Mr Surapong said he believed the request would not require parliamentary approval under Section 190 of the constitution.
Science and Technology Minister Plodprasop Suraswadi said it would be a good opportunity for Thailand to work with Nasa.
"It would be crazy if we refused to work with Nasa," Mr Plodprasop said.
The project is for the good of people around the world and Nasa has to work with many countries, he said.
"This is not about gaining benefits for just the United States or any individual country," the science minister said.
Nasa wants to use U-tapao airport for atmospheric sample collection as part of a regional climate study in Southeast Asia in August and September.
Defence Minister Sukumpol Suwanatat insisted that the government was not seeking a US visa for former premier Thaksin in exchange for allowing the US to use the naval airbase.
ACM Sukumpol said the issue should not be linked with politics.