Advances in Nuclear Power Spark Renewed Debate in Thailand

The discussion surrounding nuclear power has been rekindled in Thailand, thanks to recent advancements in reactor technology that are being touted as safer options. This has opened up potential opportunities for both U.S. and Chinese companies to play a role in the country’s energy landscape.

During a business forum in late June, Dhanin Chearavanont, the senior chairman of Charoen Pokphand Group, one of Thailand’s most influential conglomerates, emphasized the significance of nuclear energy for the country’s future economic growth. His remarks resonated across local media outlets, sparking a fresh round of debates on the subject. Experts from various fields subsequently joined the discourse, presenting arguments both in favor of and against nuclear power.

Once a pioneer in nuclear energy research within Southeast Asia, Thailand adopted a cautious stance toward nuclear power following the Fukushima disaster in Japan in 2011. The tragic incident prompted the nation to reconsider its nuclear ambitions.

However, the nuclear power debate was reignited in November at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit held in Bangkok. U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris engaged in talks with then-Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, extending American support for Thailand’s potential adoption of small modular reactors (SMRs).

The United States launched a dedicated SMR development initiative in 2020. Thailand’s collaborative efforts involving its public, private, and research sectors have enabled participation in this program, aimed at building expertise in next-generation nuclear technology. SMRs are being heralded as a safer alternative to traditional reactor designs, with similar projects underway in countries such as the U.K., China, and beyond.

Thailand’s initial foray into nuclear technology dates back to the 1960s, with the inauguration of its first research reactor in Southeast Asia, made possible with support from the United States. Despite ambitions to include nuclear power in the country’s electricity plans since the early 2000s, those plans were put on hold in the aftermath of the Fukushima disaster.

In 2018, references to nuclear power were replaced by a focus on hydroelectricity and other forms of renewable energy in Thailand’s electricity strategy.

Pantip Ampornrat, an engineer at the Thai government’s Office of Atoms for Peace, stressed that the time has come to consider the development of SMRs as part of the broader strategy to reduce carbon emissions.

Recent analyses by the Thailand Institute of Nuclear Technology have shown that a majority of Thais – around 80% – hold a neutral stance toward constructing nuclear reactors. This neutral sentiment presents an opportunity to engage the public and sway opinions on the matter.

However, skepticism toward nuclear power remains prevalent among the public. This skepticism was heightened in March when a cylinder containing radioactive cesium-137 briefly went missing at a coal plant. The incident highlighted lapses in the oversight of radioactive materials and intensified existing concerns.

As the debate surrounding nuclear power in Thailand gains momentum, it becomes clear that while there is growing interest in harnessing nuclear energy for economic growth, the specter of past nuclear disasters continues to cast a shadow over public perceptions. The emergence of safer reactor designs, like SMRs, presents an opportunity for Thailand to reshape its energy narrative, balancing its economic ambitions with the need for safety and sustainability.