NY -- Standard&Poor's CreditWire 8/15/97 -- Standard&Poor's today has placed its single-'A' long-term local and foreign currency ratings of PTT Exploration&Production Co. Ltd. and its single-'A' rating on PTTEP International Ltd.'s US$200 million unsecured notes due 2006 on CreditWatch with negative implications. The CreditWatch placement reflects similar action on the Kingdom of Thailand's long-term local and foreign currency ratings (see Aug. 1, 1997 press release). PTT Exploration&Production is 71% owned by the Petroleum Authority of Thailand (PTT), which has the monopoly on buying and selling gas in Thailand. PTT Exploration&Production is a strategically important entity for the Kingdom, resulting in PTT Exploration&Production's and the Kingdom of Thailand's ratings