Thailand Country Report“Enhancement of Socio-Economic Impact of Radiation and Isotope Application andSustainable Development and Nuclear Energy in Thailand”
presented at the Ministerial Level Meetingof the 4th Forum Nuclear Cooperation in Asia
3rd December 2003, Japan
Excellencies,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen;
It is a great pleasure and honor for me to be here with you all for the Ministerial Level
Meeting of the Fourth Forum for Nuclear Cooperation in Asia. On behalf of our
Minister of Science and Technology, General Chetta Thanajaro, who has been preoccupied at home, please let me extend his apologies to you. I would also like to thank the
Atomic Energy Commission of Japan for their support in organizing this meeting on suchan important and timely subject: Enhancement of Socio-Economic Impact of Radiation
and Isotope Application and Sustainable Development and Nuclear Energy; as wellas their kind invitation extended to Thailand to participate in the meeting.
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;
I would like to take this opportunity to briefly present to you the efforts and progresses
related to peaceful utilization of atomic energy in Thailand at the current time. Since theUnited Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) in 1992, theworld community has increasing concerns on human safety and clean environmet, ofwhich safe utilization of atomic energy is identified as a global issue. The International
Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has then been working closely with its Member States,
including Thailand, on upgrading of radiation protection infrastructure to ensure properand timely implementation of its International Basic Safety Standards. The major
recommendation given to Thailand was to urgently establish proper national infrastructure
for radiation protection, of which regulatory authority was to be independently managed
from the management of operators – users of radiation sources. In early 2001, one of the
new Government’s major policies was to restructure the government bureaucracy to be
more efficient and better meet the needs of major populace. The Government agreed later
to separate the policy and planning, and safety and safeguards regulation functions of the
Office of Atomic Energy for Peace (OAEP) from the promotional research anddevelopment functions. At the beginning of October 2002, the OAEP was renamed the
Office of Atoms for Peace (OAP) and remains as a government bureaucrat. The
promotional research and development functions will be re-organized to be a new publicagency called Thailand Institute of Nuclear Technology (TINT). Meanwhile, this has been
delayed, awaiting for the new legislation for establishing a new agency to be promulgated.
At present, both organizations are managed under the same manageme nt arrangement of
the OAP.
The present organization of OAP consists of the following four bureaux:- Bureau of Atomic Energy Administration,- Bureau of Radiation Safety Regulation,- Bureau of Nuclear Safety Regulation, and- Bureau of Technical Support for Safe ty Regulation.

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In the meantime, OAP has also been assigned to temporarily manage research anddevelopment activities of the former OAEP as follows:- Radioactive Waste Management Programme,- Radio- isotopes Production Programme,- Research Reactor and Nuclear Technology Operation Programme,- Radiation and Nuclear Safety Programme,- Irradiation for Agriculture Programme,- Chemistry and Material Science Research Programme, and- Physics and Advanced Technology Research Programme
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;
As most of you are aware, one of the major projects of OAP is the new Ongkharak
Nuclear Research Center Establishment Project (ONRC), comprising of three major
facilities, namely
10 Megawatt TRIGA research reactor, radioisotope andradiopharmaceutical production facility, and centralized radioactive waste processing andstorage facility. Thailand has invested substantially amount of time and resources to thisproject, of which the contract was awarded to General Atomics (GA) of USA. While thecontractor has undertaking its responsible works, OAP struggled long and hard in
obtaining the Construction Permit (CP). So far, about 95% of detailed design of thebuildings and systems has been completed. And we are now pleased to update you that
the CP has been granted on 29th September. The construction of the major facilities is
expected to take place in the near future. Hopefully, ONRC will be the major research anddevelopment center for nuclear science and technology in Thailand. It will also contributeto the close cooperation on nuclear science and technology for peace and security with theinternational community.
Socio-Economic Impact of Radiation and Radioisotopes Application
Over 40 years, the Thai society has benefited from the safe use of radiation andradioisotopes application. This has increasingly contributed to the improvement of qualityof life of the Thai people in terms of agriculture, health and medicine, industry andenvironment. Under the Forum for Nuclear Cooperation in Asia (FNCA), Thailand isproud that successes have been achieved in various sectors.
Research Reactor
The progresses of utilization of research reactor in Thailand are as follows:
Tc-99m generator
Thailand performed the experiments for evaluation the performance of Poly
Zirconium Compound (PZC) as a column packing material for 99 Mo/99m Tc generator
from (n, γ) 99 Mo. The 99 Mo/99m Tc generator using PZC material and irradiated natural
molybdenum performed the satisfied result of the generator characteristics which
could be developed as an alternative technology for 99 Mo/99m Tc generator production.
It is strongly believed that in the near future this technology will be established andutilized under the framework of the FNCA which will benefit the countries operatingsmall research reactors to overcome the difficulties in producing 99 Mo/99m Tc generator.

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Neutron Activation Analysis (NAA)
Thailand has conducted a monitoring study of urban air pollution in downtown
Bangkok to support the use of nuclear related techniques for research and monitoringstudies on air pollution. OAP realizes the usefulness and advantage of using Ko
method for analysis of air particulate matters. However, we are not ready to follow
the recommendation made by the NAA group in the last workshop in Beijing as we do
not have any software program nor expertise in the method. To enable us to further
participate in this project, a special support from FNCA or some other relatedorganization, e.g. MEXT is needed. It is considered that an expert in Ko-NAA may
be invited to Thailand to conduct experiments using local facilities. As a whole, theeffectiveness and capability of our facility can be evaluated before any decision is
made.
Neutron Scattering (NS)Thailand, with the cooperation of Prof. Hasegawa of Kyoto University, had preparedsamples for the study of the morphology of natural rubber under strain in natural
rubber-thermoplastic elastomer (NR-TPE). Twenty - one samples were sent to JAERI
for the preliminary measurement using Small Angle Neutron Scattering (SANS).
Deuteration of substituted polymers might be considered to increase the contrast ofpattern.
Agriculture
Mutation Breeding
Mutation breeding has been the major activity in the agricultural field. New mutant
varieties of Canna and Chrysanthemum were released by Kasetsart University.
Dissemination of mutation technique and nuclear technology in agriculture to the
public were conducted via workshops and media, such as TV, radio, newsletters andnewspapers. Research works on plant mutation breeding have been carried out bycollaboration of some research institutes under the “National Framework” set up by
the Sub Committee on Agricultural Applications under the Thai Atomic Energy
Commission for Peace. The target crops are food crops, fruit trees, aquatic plants,
vegetables and ornamentals. The objective of mutant varies, depending on thespecific plants. Following the success of the First Multilateral Research Program(MRP-1), Thailand will be one of the six countries participating in the Second
Multilateral Research Program (MRP-2) concerning “Insect Resistance in Orchids”.
Bio- fertilizer
Progress activities on bio- fertilizer in Thailand included the investigation of thebeneficial microorganisms in Thailand soil on leguminous plant growing area,collection and selection of effective strains for bio-fertilizer purpose. The inoculum
production techniques were studied. The research program also included the
production techniques for mycorrhizal fungi by studying the suitable media andcarrier and using radiation to enhance growth promotion of fungi in the media.
Medical Use
Radiation Oncology
After completing the project of radiation and radioisotopes application for medical use
in radiation therapy for stage IIIB cervical cancer patients, the guidebook in radiation3

therapy and radiation physics for cervical cancer were established and distributed tohospitals and institutes of participating countries. The second protocol on Accelerated
Hyperfractionation (AHF) for stage IIIB cervical cancer started in the year 2000 was
closed at the end of 2002 and the follow-up result is being evaluated.
Public Information
To enhance public information activities for nuclear energy, Thailand has been
disseminating the information to the public via various means of mass communication.
OAP has hired consultant companies as advisors for conducting the public relations
activity starting from the year 1999 up to now. The joint survey of high school students
on their understanding of radiation and its applications was also carried out. Thailand
enjoys the benefit of using the information network “AsiaNNet” after it was established
by FNCA. With the assistance of the FNCA and its Member States, Thailand has
continued to promote the peaceful and safe uses of nuclear technology in the country.
Radioactive Waste Management
The achievement of the Spent Radiation Source (SRS) Management Task Group subproject in Thailand (August 2001) under FNCA framework was proven mutually
beneficial. The project was continued in 2002 and Indonesia and Korea were thevoluntary countries. An expert from Radioactive Waste Management Division, OAP wasinvited to present the progress of SRS Management in Thailand and the experience fromthe radiological accident (spent Co-60 tele-therapy source) in the Discussion/Survey
Meeting on SRS Management in Korea. As for activities related to radioactive waste
management in Thailand, the code of practice and the radioactive waste management
regulation were drafted and proposed to the cabinet for approval and to be promulgated asa ministerial regulation. The safety awareness in radioactive waste management in the
country was improved.
Nuclear Safety Culture
The safety culture was recognized as one of the key factors to prevent nuclear andradiation accidents. All type of activities with respect to safety culture including
awareness, commitment, motivation, supervision and responsibility have been seriously
reviewed and being set as practices. Thailand expects to have more safety culture training
to provoke individual awareness both users and operators and to prevent any incidents
originated from nuclear facilities and radioactive materials.
Human-Resources Development
Strengthening human resources is an important factor for the development of nuclear
technology applications. Thailand has Bilateral Agreement between OAP and JAERI on
human resources development in nuclear field. Follow-up training courses on radiation
protection were conducted under this agreement. Joint training courses on nuclear andradiological emergency preparedness were proposed for the extended agreement. A
survey for human resources development in nuclear field was carried out in order to
identify the needs and areas of development. Thailand was also pleased to host theWorkshop on FNCA Human Resources Development last October.

4Industrial Application
Application of Low Energy Electron Accelerator
The main subject of the year 2002 workshop is on liquid system irradiation. Although
Thailand has no electron accelerator to undertake research or development onradiation technology, most of the experiment can be done by Co-60 gamma irradiation.
Current status on radiation treatment of liquid samples in Thailand is in laboratory
scale, market trial scale and commercial scale. The main purpose is to upgrade andadd value to natural agricultural and marine originated products. Thailand participatesin this project through the Bilateral Agreement between OAP and JAERI and MEXT
Program. Numbers of our scientists have had opportunity to experience the use ofelectron accelerator at Takasaki Radiation Chemistry Research Establishment(TRCRE) in executing their experiments in comparison with gamma irradiation.
Strengthening Linkage Between National Researc h Sectors and End-users, Including
Industry
The success of nuclear science and technology development cannot be achieved only inthe laboratory. Its results should be extended to the end-users, generating productive
output and outcome to the society. To enable this, linkage between various organizations
should be encouraged to have very closed- link, between R&D organizations andeducational institutes and industry. Also, demonstration and transfer of technology should
be arranged for the potential clients or end-users to ensure them of the technology benefits
in increasing the quality of their products and services.
OAP has a plan to establish a Business Development Unit (BDU) to serve as a bridge
between the research and development arm of the newly established Thailand Institute of
Nuclear Technology (TINT) and potential end-users. This is an important task forestablishing and maintaining self-reliance and sustainability. In preparation, businessplanning for this unit is underway. A training course on leadership for about 50 scientists
and engineers was conducted using local lecturers. Business planning and goodmanagement and marketing practices for staffs from across the technical, scientific andadministrative sides will be conducted in the first quarter of 2004. The experience of theself-reliant institutes will be of great uses to institutes that have not yet achieved selfreliance. Assistance under this Forum for Nuclear Cooperation in Asia is required.
Strengthening Regional Cooperation
Clearly, appropriate mechanisms are needed to help FNCA member countries respondeffectively to the growing demands of nuclear related technology application. But how
quickly such mechanisms are formed and how well they perform will depend, to a large
extent, on the individual circumstances of each country, its strength and weaknesses. We
are gathering here to combine our diverse strengths to meet the challenges facing our
region. In line with FNCA’s theme, I would like to emphasize that strong partnership isvital in order to achieve the goals of “achieving stability, security and prosperity for our
region” we set out amidst the rapidly changing international environment. Further
strengthening effective mechanisms of cooperation, through FNCA, IAEA/RCA or
Scientist Exchange Programs of Japan, will also of great help, not only to facilitate better
regional cooperation and investment, but also to protect our societies against threats to5their security, while preparing them to benefit fully from the sustainable development andnuclear energy.
Sustainable Development and Nuclear Energy
The reorganization of national infrastructure is considered strategic for sustainable
development. The OAP’s roles in policy coordination and strategic plan development forpeaceful utilization of atomic energy in Thailand will be strengthened to support thedevelopment for national and international peace and security and for national socioeconomic development. The single regulatory role is to be also strengthened to ensure
reducing risks and increasing benefits of nuclear technology application in the country.
However, further strengthening OAP’s roles both on internationally accepted standards
and measures are to be incorporated in management strategy of OAP. Revision of thepresent Atomic Energy for Peace Act (1962) is required to incorporate new major
elements to facilitate flexibility and effectiveness of the Act for OAP to enforce bothnational compliance of the NPT regime and safe regulations in compliance with theinternationa l standards and measures set out by the IAEA.
Likewise, in terms of research and development, and utilization of nuclear technology, the
new Thailand Institute of Nuclear Technology (TINT) is considered strategic. TINT willbe established with corporate- like management arrangement from which its businesses arecarried out with partners from both public and private sectors. The current Ministerial
Policy calls for TINT to redirect its mission to support export of agricultural produce
through irradiation and development of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). Its main
research tools are research reactors and irradiation facilities.
Nuclear Power: Utilization of atomic energy for electricity generation has been proven to
be an essential source of primary energy to secure sustainable electricity production allover the world. For Thailand, as it is well recognized that energy is one of the importantfactors for economic development of the country, a feasibility study of nuclear power
plants was conducted years ago. As a result, the study outcome showed that it was
untimely yet for Thailand to launch the nuclear power program due to inappropriate
economical situation and the higher cost both for construction and operation. However,nuclear power remains an option for future energy development in Thailand and the
public consent is required. In order to be prepared, OAP and the Electricity Generating
Authority of Thailand (EGAT) has cooperated in launching periodically a number of PI
and PA programs on nuclear related technology application as well as nuclear power tothe public.
Conclusion
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;
We reaffirms the primacy of the FNCA cooperation system, and confides that it offers thepotential for real gains for all societies and economies, particularly developing countries,
through the reform and improvement of agriculture, health and medicine, industry andenvironment. Thailand gives our strong and consistent support for continuing thevaluable work done under the FNCA programs.
Thank you for your attention.

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