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Proceedings of the 9th Asian Geothermal Symposium, 7-9 November 2011 FOUR DECADES OF GEOTHERMAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT IN THAILAND 1 Manop RAKSASKULWONG 1Department of Mineral Resources, 75/10 Rama 6 rd., Ratchthewi Bangkok 10400, Thailand e-mail: manop_raksa@, manopraksa@ ABSTRACT There are one hundred eighteen hot spring manifestations reported in Thailand, exposed in northern extended towards western and southern Thailand. Thermal water rises up from deep reservoir along high angle dipping fractures and faults mixing with cool water then seep and shoot out to surface. Heat sources anticipate merging from varieties of tectonic phenomena e.g. high concentration of radioactive elements in granitic rocks, active tensional normal faults and relatively shallow cooling intrusive rocks. Hot spring manifestation in northern Thailand provides higher potential than in the other part. Many expert teams point out that there are suitable for possibilities in small scale power plant i.e. 1-10 MWe. Hot springs manifest in western and southern Thailand are classified as low enthalpy and suitable for agricultural, tourist attraction sites and therapy bath. Government sector explores geothermal to utilize on power plant basis while private sector finds an opportunity to develop as tourist and public health. Direct uses are practically restricted to bathing and swimming pool. Keywords: Thailand, geothermal, multipurpose utilization 1. INTRODUCTION Geothermal research and development in area of non volcanic rocks like Thailand is less attractive compare to