VZCZCXRO2018
RR RUEHCHI RUEHDT RUEHHM RUEHNH
DE RUEHBK #3711/01 3570752
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 220752Z DEC 08
FM AMEMBASSY BANGKOK
TO RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHINGTON DC
RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 5461
RHEBAAA/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHDC
INFO RUCNASE/ASEAN MEMBER COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 BANGKOK 003711 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR T (MHUMPHREY) AND EAP/MLS 
STATE PASS TO DEPT OF COMMERCE 
DEPT OF COMMERCE FOR SLOPP 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ENRG TRGY BEXP BTIO TH
SUBJECT: THAILAND AIMS FOR NUCLEAR POWER PLANT BY 2020 
 
REF: A. STATE 127423 
     ¶B. BANGKOK 2813 
 
¶1.  (SBU)  Summary.  Thailand has expressed commitment to 
nuclear energy and hopes to build an operational nuclear 
power plant by 2020.  Potential obstacles towards achieving 
this goal include political instability, the current 
financial crisis, and negative public opinion towards nuclear 
power plants.  Thailand has created governmental bodies to 
oversee regulation and operation of nuclear power plants, 
although the roles of various agencies need to be more 
clearly defined.  Thailand is also not yet a signatory to a 
number of internal safety, security, and liability 
conventions, most notably the Convention on Nuclear Safety 
and the Convention on Supplementary Compensation for Nuclear 
Damage.  End Summary. 
 
¶2.  (SBU)   Per reftel A, post has gathered information on 
Thailand's civil nuclear energy industry and keyed responses 
to reftel's queries as follows: 
 
¶3.  (SBU)  Describe any plans for the development of nuclear 
power in your country.  Also, describe any existing or 
planned nuclear power related facilities in your country, 
such as uranium mining, if any.  Do you foresee an expansion 
of these facilities? 
 
The Royal Thai Government (RTG) approved Thailand's Power 
Development Plan 2007-2021 (PDP 2007) in June 2007.  The PDP 
2007 stipulates that the RTG consider building a 2,000 
megawatt nuclear power plant by 2020 and another 2,000 plant 
by 2021 (see reftel B).  Currently, the RTG is conducting a 
feasibility study to identify sites, suppliers, and fuel 
selection; as well as examine funding and licensing schemes. 
The RTG will make a final decision on nuclear power plants 
around 2011.  The RTG established the Nuclear Power Program 
Development Office (NPPDO) to coordinate and oversee the 
implementation of nuclear power plants.  Thailand currently 
operates a small two megawatt nuclear research reactor, but 
this plant does not generate electricity. 
 
¶4.  (SBU)  If your country is considering the pursuit of 
nuclear power, describe the underlying motivations (e.g., 
current or anticipated power shortages, energy security, or 
other industrial uses, such as desalination). 
 
The RTG identified energy security; concerns over global 
warming; maintenance of energy price and stability; and 
retention of natural gas in the Gulf of Thailand as the 
primary motivations for building nuclear power plants. 
Currently, natural gas from the Gulf of Thailand accounts for 
about 70% of Thailand's electricity, although gas supplies 
are being depleted.  Thailand has also been affected by the 
volatility in oil prices. 
 
¶5.  (SBU)  If there are plans to pursue nuclear power, 
describe anticipated government role in the financing of its 
civil nuclear sector.  For example, does the government plan 
to provide subsidies, tax breaks, loan guarantees, or other 
financial incentives?  Would some or all nuclear power plants 
be state-owned enterprises?  Would you seek financing from 
international investment banks and organizations or 
consortium arrangements? 
 
The RTG will address these concerns in their feasibility 
study, which should be completed in late 2009.  The NPPDO has 
expressed interest in all of the financing schemes mentioned 
above. 
 
¶6.  (SBU)  What are the names and titles of the key nuclear 
decision making government bodies and top officials? 
 
The NNPDO, an agency under the Ministry of Energy, takes the 
lead on overseeing and implementing the introduction of 
nuclear power; and the Office of Atoms for Peace (OAP), under 
the Ministry of Science and Technology, acts as the nuclear 
regulatory body.  However, based on conversations with NNPDO 
and OAP, there appears to be confusion over these two leading 
agencies roles in the nuclear energy industry (see reftel B). 
 In addition, the Thailand Institute of Nuclear Technology 
(TINT), a quasi-governmental organization, carries out 
nuclear research. 
 
The key officials are: 
Dr. Pornchai Rujiprapa, Permanent Secretary of Energy, 
Ministry of Energy; Dr. Kopr Kritayakirana, Chairman, Nuclear 
 
BANGKOK 00003711  002 OF 003 
 
 
Power Infrastructure Preparation Committee;  Mr. Sirichai 
Keinmeesuke, Secretary General, Office of Atoms for Peace; 
Mr. Viraphol Jirapraditkul, Director General, Energy Policy 
and Planning Office;  and Mr. Kraisi Karnasuta, Governor, 
Electricty Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT). 
 
¶7.  (SBU)  Does your country have an existing nuclear 
regulatory authority?  What are its inspection/enforcement 
powers?  IF so, how large is it (i.e., how many people does 
it employ)?  If not, are there plans to establish such an 
authority? 
 
OAP, which is part of the Ministry of Science and Technology, 
serves as the nuclear safety regulatory body.  Currently, OAP 
employs 400 civil servants of whom 20 are engineers or 
scientists responsible for inspection.  In past discussion 
with OAP, the agency has expressed great interest in getting 
training and support from U.S. experts in the areas of laws, 
regulations, licensing procedures, and creating international 
liability regimes. 
 
¶8.  (SBU)  Does your country have a domestic nuclear 
liability law?  If so, please summarize its major elements. 
In particular, is there a minimum level of required liability 
coverage required for operation?  If your country is not 
party to an international liability regime, is there any 
consideration being given to joining one?  If so, which 
international liability regime (Vienna Convention, Paris 
Convention, Convention on Supplementary Compensation for 
Nuclear Damage) is being considered? 
 
Thailand has not implemented a domestic nuclear liability 
law, but is in the process of studying liability regimes. 
Thailand is also not a party to an international liability 
regime, in particular the Conventions on Nuclear Safety and 
Supplementary Compensation for Nuclear Damage (see ref B). 
When Embassy officials met with NNPDO and OAP, the agencies 
expressed interest in learning about U.S. regulatory laws as 
well as the legal implications of the various international 
conventions on liability. 
 
¶9.  (SBU)  Is the manufacturing base in your country 
(including high-tech components and heavy industry) involved 
in nuclear related products or services?  Does it seem likely 
that any components or contracting services for new plants 
could be sourced locally, or would the majority of these need 
to be imported? 
 
Thailand's manufacturing base does not appear to be involved 
in nuclear related products or services at this time.  Based 
on conversations with NNPDO and AOP, it seems likely that 
many components and contracting services for new plants will 
need to be imported, although the feasibility study aims to 
identify the needs. 
 
¶10.  (SBU)  How extensive is your country's nuclear-trained 
workforce?  Does your country have significant engineering, 
technician, and construction base that could be readily 
converted into a nuclear workforce (e.g., engineers, high 
precision manufacturing, robust quality assurance programs, 
high quality construction)?  Will the development of civil 
nuclear power require a significant foreign workforce?  Are 
programs in place, or being developed, for training or 
domestic personnel (e.g., in skilled trades and nuclear 
regulation)? 
 
Thailand lacks a nuclear-trained workforce in all aspects of 
the industry, from engineering to construction, largely due 
to the fact that Thailand has not had an active nuclear 
energy industry.  Most experts in the field have retired. 
The feasibility study will also address workforce issues. 
 
¶11.  (SBU)  Does your country have any current or anticipated 
nuclear related tenders?  If so, please describe the 
tender/selection process for new contracts, its timing, and 
indicate any U.S. firms considering bidding. 
 
There are no active tenders at this time.  However, the RTG 
awarded a subsidiary of U.S. firm Burns and Roe the U.S. $6 
million contract for conducting the feasibility study. 
 
¶12.  (SBU)  What nuclear sector opportunities do you foresee 
for U.S. industry (e.g., feasibility studies or other 
consulting services, plant construction management, reactor 
sales, fuel cycle service provision, plant operations, waste 
management, or logistics)? 
 
BANGKOK 00003711  003 OF 003 
 
 
 
The U.S. Foreign Commercial Service anticipates opportunities 
for U.S. industry in all the above mentioned sectors. 
 
¶13.  (SBU)  If applicable, what are the primary companies 
(domestic and foreign) involved in (or considering 
involvement in) your country's civil nuclear sector?  Please 
include utilities, plant operators, fuel cycle service 
providers, technology vendors, and major construction or 
consulting firms. 
 
The primary companies who may be involved in the civil 
nuclear sector in the future appear to be the companies who 
are now actively involved in the power and electricity 
industry.  These include the state-owned Electricity 
Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT);  Black and Veatch; 
GE; and Burns and Roe.  Japanese firms in the power and 
electricity industry also seem likely to compete for 
contracts, although it is too early to determine which 
Japanese companies are involved. 
 
¶14.  (SBU) Are there other nuclear supplier countries 
engaging your country?  Please describe any available details 
on formal agreements including existing or potential (1) MOUs 
on nuclear cooperation;  (2) legal frameworks for nuclear 
commerce;  or (3) arrangements for technical or information 
exchanges. 
 
South Korea and Thailand signed a MOU in 2004 to promote 
cooperation in nuclear energy.  NNPDO also claims Japan, 
France, Australia, and Korea have also provided technical 
assistance.  RTG is still developing legal frameworks for 
nuclear commerce.  NNPDO and OAP have expressed interest in 
learning from U.S. regulatory and commerce experts.  Thailand 
has also requested support from IAEA experts regarding 
nuclear regulatory and procedural matters. 
 
¶15.  (SBU) Are there any political considerations your 
country may take into account when choosing to cooperate with 
competing nuclear supplier states? 
 
Thailand's lack of political stability, the global financial 
crisis, and anti-nuclear power plant sentiment in the Thai 
population may play a large role in determining whether goals 
of constructing an operational nuclear power plant by 2020 
are realized. 
JOHN