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Viewing cable 09BANGKOK3010, Thai Civilian Nuclear Energy Program: Renewed Focus and

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Reference ID Created Released Classification Origin
09BANGKOK3010 2009-11-25 10:38 2011-08-25 00:00 UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY Embassy Bangkok
VZCZCXRO8275
PP RUEHCHI RUEHDT RUEHHM RUEHNH
DE RUEHBK #3010/01 3291038
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 251038Z NOV 09
FM AMEMBASSY BANGKOK
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9110
RHMFIUU/DEPT OF HOMELAND SECURITY WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
INFO RUEHCHI/AMCONSUL CHIANG MAI 7342
RUCNASE/ASEAN MEMBER COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BANGKOK 003010 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: IAEA TRGY ENRG TH
 
SUBJECT:  Thai Civilian Nuclear Energy Program: Renewed Focus and 
Opportunity for Cooperation 
 
BANGKOK 00003010  001.2 OF 002 
 
 
Sensitive But Unclassified.  For Official Use Only. 
 
REF:  BANGKOK 2505 
 
1.  (SBU) SUMMARY: In spite of anticipated community protests, 
Thailand appears committed to developing its civilian nuclear energy 
and research programs.  The Royal Thai Government's (RTG) Office of 
Atoms for Peace (OAP) hosted the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission 
(NRC) earlier this month to discuss Thailand as a leading recipient 
for radioactive sources, and the National Nuclear Security 
Administration (NNSA) to discuss potential technical assistance on 
nuclear security and safety protocols.  The visits paralleled 
increased public relations efforts, not altogether successful, by 
the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) to prepare 
the Thai public for a decision to embrace nuclear power generation. 
END SUMMARY. 
 
---------------------------------------- 
U.S. Delegations and the Office of Atoms for Peace 
---------------------------------------- 
 
2.  (SBU) The Office of Atoms for Peace (OAP) hosted delegations 
from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) on November 9 and 
10, and from the U.S. National Nuclear Security Administration 
(NNSA) on November 9 through 11.  Both groups came to Thailand to 
strengthen their relationships with OAP, the regulatory body for the 
Thai government's civilian nuclear energy program.  A separate group 
from the NRC will visit Bangkok in the first week of December to 
attend an International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) conference. 
 
3.  (SBU) According to the NRC, Thailand ranks 7th in the world 
among countries listed on license applications to receive 
radioactive sources.  (Note: The NRC is the USG entity that issues 
export licenses for radioactive sources.  End Note.)  Although 
appearing as a client on an export license does not necessarily mean 
that an actual transaction will take place, Thailand frequently 
receives radioactive sources for use in academic research, 
industrial applications, and the irradiation of medical devices, dog 
toys, and spices, among other items.  Officials from the NRC 
indicated that there is nothing of concern about the types of 
sources that Thailand has been receiving.  Iridium, for example, 
which is used for radiography, has a half-life of only 74 days and 
must be replaced frequently. 
 
4.  (SBU) While OAP did not specifically discuss technical 
assistance for the Thai nuclear energy program from NRC in their 
November meetings, OAP has expressed interest in such assistance 
both prior and since.  In June 2009, OAP sent a letter to NRC 
requesting assistance with laws and regulations for nuclear power 
plants and human resource development.  NRC replied in July, 
offering assistance to OAP.  On November 18, OAP sent an additional 
request to NRC regarding the possibility of an intensive training 
session for OAP officials in order to prepare OAP to fulfill its 
role in Thailand's civilian nuclear power program, which forecasts 
an operational 1000 MW nuclear power plant in the year 2020 
(reftel). 
 
5.  (SBU) In its conversations with OAP, the NNSA delegation 
indicated the goal of its visit was to evaluate the Thai 
government's efforts in the following areas, with an eye toward 
potential assistance: safety analysis of the research reactor OAP 
operates in Bangkok, the development of regulations regarding 
nuclear power safeguards, low-level radiation waste management, and 
ratification of the IAEA Additional Protocol (AP).  (Note: the IAEA 
AP ratification process involves several entities within the Royal 
Thai Government (RTG), including:  the Prime Minister's Office, the 
Thai Cabinet, and both Houses of Parliament.  End Note.).  OAP 
welcomed NNSA's offer to provide technical experts to facilitate the 
complicated ratification process. 
 
------------------------------- 
The Nuclear Program in the News 
------------------------------- 
 
6.  (U) At the same time as the NRC and NNSA visits, local media 
coincidentally ran stories regarding the Electricity Generating 
Authority of Thailand (EGAT) and its role in Thailand's nuclear 
energy program.  EGAT commissioned private firm Burns and Roe Asia 
to conduct a related feasibility study to be completed in May 2010 
(reftel).  As part of this study, Burns and Roe is evaluating 15 
sites based on the following criteria: economics, especially with 
regard to the cost of accessing a water supply, the environment and 
population, geological suitability, political stability, and 
community acceptance.  In response to our queries regarding the 
media stories (some of which turned out to be inaccurate), an EGAT 
official told EconOff that environmental concerns would far outweigh 
the other factors and would comprise roughly 50 percent of the final 
evaluation.  Burns and Roe plans to narrow the list of 15 to 5 by 
 
BANGKOK 00003010  002.2 OF 002 
 
 
the completion of the study next May.  According to the EGAT 
official, the five potential sites are located in four provinces: 
Surat Thani and Nakorn Srithammart in the south, Trat on the coastal 
border with Cambodia, and Nakorn Sawan in the central region. 
(Note: Articles and editorials presenting predictable arguments both 
in favor and against Thailand's civilian nuclear program appeared 
almost daily in local Thai press following release of information on 
the location of the sites being evaluated.  End Note). 
 
7.  (SBU) An EGAT official told EconOff that, in support of the 
civilian nuclear program, EGAT has initiated a public relations (PR) 
campaign that will focus on local communities in these provinces. 
At a PR event on November 2 in Surat Thani province, protests 
erupted at a forum in which EGAT had planned an informational 
session about the realities of nuclear power.  Several hundred 
locals turned out in the district of Tha Chana to protest the 
possibility of a power plant being built in the area.  EGAT told us 
that they anticipated this protest, as well as strong opposition 
from NGOs and local groups throughout the process of developing a 
civilian nuclear energy program.  In this particular case, an 
official from EGAT said that the protests were led by a member of 
the opposition Puea Thai party to undermine the efforts of the 
Abhisit administration and to protect property he personally owns 
near this site.  (Comment:  We have not had a chance to speak with 
the NGOs involved in the protest.) 
 
8.  (SBU) COMMENT:  The Office of Atoms for Peace (OAP)'s continued 
interest in USG assistance on Thailand's civilian nuclear energy 
program reflects the commitment to nuclear power development within 
the RTG.  We should consider ways to support its requests for 
technical assistance to push forward our nuclear security and safety 
goals, and to assist this treaty ally with the development of its 
energy production infrastructure.  END COMMENT. 
 
9.  (SBU) For the use of interested Washington agencies, key 
contacts at OAP include the following officials: 
 
Mr. Chaivat Toskulkao 
Secretary General of OAP 
 
Mr. Kittisak Chinudomsub 
Director, Bureau of Radiation Safety Regulation 
 
Ms. Usa Kullaprawithaya 
Director, International Cooperation Group 
 
Ms. Siriratana Biramontri 
Director, Bureau of Technical Support for Safety Regulation 
 
John