TREATIES AND OTHER INTERNATIONAL ACTS SERIES 15-204

________________________________________________________________________

SCIENTIFIC COOPERATION

Earth Sciences

Memorandum of Understanding

Between the 

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

and THAILAND

Signed at Reston and Thailand

November 10, 2014 and February 4, 2015
 NOTE BY THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE

 Pursuant to Public Law 89—497, approved July 8, 1966

(80 Stat. 271; 1 U.S.C. 113)—

“. . .the Treaties and Other International Acts Series issued

under the authority of the Secretary of State shall be competent

evidence . . . of the treaties, international agreements other than

treaties, and proclamations by the President of such treaties and

international agreements other than treaties, as the case may be, 

therein contained, in all the courts of law and equity and of maritime

jurisdiction, and in all the tribunals and public offices of the

United States, and of the several States, without any further proof

or authentication thereof.”
 THAILAND

 Scientific Cooperation: Earth Sciences

 Memorandum of understanding signed at 

Reston and Thailand November 10, 2014 and 

 February 4, 2015;

 Entered into force February 4, 2015.

 
MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING 

BETWEEN 

THE U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 

OF THE 

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 

OF THE 

UNITEDSTATESOFAMERICA 

AND THE 

TH-08.0000 

DEPARTMENT OF GROUNDWATER RESOURCES 

OF THE 

MINISTRY OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENT 

OF THE 

KINGDOM OF THAILAND 

CONCERNING 

SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL COOPERATION 

IN THE EARTII SCIENCES 

ARTICLE I. SCOPE AND OBJECTIVES 

1. The U.S. Geological Survey of the Department of the Interior of the United States of 

America (hereinafter "USGS"), on one side, and the Department of Groundwater Resources 

(hereinafter "DGR") of the Ministry ofNatural Resources and Environment of the Kingdom 

of Thailand, on the other side, (hereinafter "Party" or "Parties") hereby agree to pursue 

scientific and technical cooperation in the Earth sciences as specified herein 

2. This Memorandum is subject to and governed by the Agreement between the 

Government of the United States of America and the Government of the Kingdom of 

Thailand for Scientific and Technical Cooperation (hereinafter the "S&T Agreement") signed 

in Bangkok on August 6, 2013. 

3. The purpose of this Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is to provide a framework 

for the exchange of scientific and technical knowledge and the augmentation of scientific and 

technical capabilities of the USGS and the DGR with respect to the Earth sciences. 

ARTICLE IT. COOPERATIVE ACTIVITIES 

1. Forms of cooperation wtder this MOU may consist of exchanges of technical 

information, visit, training, and cooperative research consistent with the ongoing programs 

of the Parties. Specific areas of cooperation may include such areas of mutual interest as: 

A Geologic and geophysical investigations of geothermal resources. 

B. Groundwater quality assessment, monitoring, and remediation. 

C. Geophysical investigation of groundwater systems. 

D. Growtdwater modeling and conceptual site model. 

E. Land subsidence assessment and monitoring. 

F. Information teclmology and database management. 
G. Land cover and environmental conditions. 

H. Joint training and staff exchange assignments. 

I. Other areas of cooperation of mutual interest to the Parties. 

2. Activities under this MOU shall be undertaken consistept with the applicable national 

laws and regulations of each Party. 

3. The Parties shall encourage and facilitate, where appropriate, the development of 

direct contacts and cooperation among government agencies, universities, research centers, 

institutions, private sector, companies, and other entities of the United States and Thailand. 

4. Each Party may, with the consent of the other Party and to the extent pennitted by the laws 

and policies of each Party's Government, invite other government entities or agencies of the 

United States and Thailand, and other entities, including scientists, technical experts, 

governmental agencies, and institutions of third countries or international organizations, to 

participate in activities undertaken pursuant to this MOU, subject to such tenns and conditions as 

the Parties may specify. 

ARTICLE III. AVAILABILITY OF RESOURCES 

All activities under this MOU shall be subject to the availability of personnel, resources, 

and funds. This MOU shall not be construed to obligate any particular expenditure or 

commitment of resources or personnel. 

ARTICLE IV. FEE AND TAX EXEMPTION 

Consistent with its laws and regulations, each Party shall work toward obtaining, on 

behalf of the other Party, relief from taxes, fees, customs, duties, and other charges 

(excluding fees for specific services rendered) levied with respect to the import, export, 

purchase, ownership, use, or disposition of goods (including personal property) and services 

by or on behalf of the other Party in support of activities under this MOU. 

ARTICLE V. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY 

The protection and distribution of intellectual property created or furnished in the course 

of cooperative activities under this MOU shall be governed by the provisions of Annex I of 

the S&T Agreement. 

ARTICLE VI. SECURITY OBLIGATIONS 

Provisions for the protection of classified information and unclassified export-controlled 

information and equipment are set forth in Annex IIofthe S&T Agreement. 
ARTICLE Vll. DISCLAIMER 

Information transmitted by one Party to the other Party under this MOU shall be accurate 

to the best knowledge and belief of the transmitting Party, but the transmitting Party does not 

warrant the suitability of the information transmitted for any particular use or application by 

the receiving Party or by any third Party. 

ARTICLE VIII. PLANNING AND REVIEW OF ACTIVITIES 

Each Party shall designate a principal representative who, at such times as the Parties 

shall mutually agree, shall review the activities conducted under this MOU and develop 

proposals for future activities, as appropriate. 

ARTICLE IX. DATA EXCHANGE 

The Parties acknowledge the value of exchange of scientific data and agree to promote the open 

exchange data within their national structures in order to provide maximum social and scientific 

benefits of such data. 

ARTICLE X. PROJECT ANNEXES 

Any activity carried out under this MOU shall be agreed upon in advance by the 

Parties in writing. Whenever more than the exchange of technical information or visits of 

individuals are contemplated, such activity shall be described in an agreed Project Annex 

(P A) to this MOU, which shall set forth in terms appropriate to the activity: a work plan, 

staffmg requirements, cost estimates, funding sources, and other undertakings, obligations, or 

conditions not included in this MOU. In the case of any inconsistency between the terms of 

this MOU and the terms of a PA, the tenns of this MOU shall control. 

ARTICLE XI. ENTRY INTO FORCE. TERMINATION, AND AMENDMENT 

1. This MOU shall enter into force upon signature and shall remain in force for ten (1 0) 

years and shall be automatically extended thereafter for successive periods often (10) years 

so long as the S&T Agreement is in force. 

2. Either Party may terminate this MOU by providing ninety (90) days' prior written 

notice to the other Party. Unless otherwise agreed, the termination of this MOU shall not 

affect the validity or duration of activities under this MOU that have been initiated prior to 

such termination. The terms of this MOU shall continue to apply to such projects until they 

are discontinued. 

3. This MOU may be amended by mutual written agreement of the Parties. 
Signed at Reston, Virginia, and Thailand, in duplicate, in the English language. 

FOR THE U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 

OF THE DEPARTMENT OF THE 

INTERIOR OF THE UNITED STATES OF 

AMERICA: 

Suzette M. Kimball 

Name 

Acting Director 

Title 

to Nov~d 2014 

Date 

FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF 

GROUNDWATER RESOURCES OF 

THE MINISTRY OF NATURAL 

RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENT 

OF THE KINGDOM OF THAILAND: 

Signatut ~ /2. '

6

"1-

Name 

DiH~c--\-o"( b-e..ne-<a-1 

Title 

Date