The plants were viewed as huge export opportunities for Australia's coal producers. Australia had sought to become a major supplier of coal and iron ore to Thailand, with several Australian coal producers seeking direct stakes in consortiums bidding for power plants.
The decision is a huge victory for the Thai Green movement, which argued against the independent power plants on environmental grounds and won.
Despite Australian consternation over the decision, the Prime Minister of Thailand Thaksin Shinawatra is preparing to visit Australia next week to promote Thailand to Australia's business community.
