Dr. Rungruang Kitphati, Director-General of the Department of Science Service and Acting Secretary-General of the Office of Atoms for Peace (OAP), revealed that in line with the policy of Ms. Supamas Isarabhakdi, Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI), which aims to drive the development of scientific knowledge, research, and innovation to benefit national development, efforts are being made to develop various databases—such as the National Radiation Database. This initiative serves as a crucial step in monitoring, preventing, and controlling radiological threats, ultimately creating a sustainable protective shield for the health of the Thai population.
The Office of Atoms for Peace, under MHESI, has carried out environmental radiation assessments, marking a significant milestone in developing a database on radiological transfer in risk factors—particularly Thai food, especially “rice,” the country’s staple food. The project aims to encompass all potential risk factors. A key outcome of this initiative is the establishment of foundational data on environmental radiation in Thailand, which will support long-term protection of public health in the areas of food safety, environmental quality, and human health, while also enhancing preparedness for any future nuclear or radiological emergencies.
Dr. Rungruang Kitphati, in his role as Chair of this initiative, stated that strengthening environmental radiation assessment capabilities is essential for evaluating radiological risks, planning for regulatory oversight in normal circumstances, and supporting emergency planning through the use of “radiological transfer parameters in Thai rice.” This initiative serves as a pilot model and was highlighted in the academic seminar titled “Enhancing Radiological Assessment and Emergency Planning: Thailand’s First National Database on Elemental Transfer to Rice,” held on April 29, 2025, at the Office of Atoms for Peace. It represents a key strategic goal of the Office: to safeguard Thai lives through internationally recognized radiation safety standards—especially regarding everyday consumables that carry potential radiological risks.
This initiative focuses on disseminating academic and research-based knowledge through collaboration between OAP and the University of Salford in the United Kingdom. The objective is to foster understanding and awareness of the benefits of radiological risk assessment using transfer factor values. The project also aims to expand academic cooperation with domestic and international partners in future research and development of radiological transfer databases. The event, held from April 29 to May 1, 2025, at OAP, was honored by the presence of Professor Mike Wood (Associate Dean for Research & Innovation / Chair in Applied Ecology), Dr. Jajati Mandal (Fellow in Pollution), and Ms. Piyawan Srikongphan, Radiation Physicist at OAP, who shared key knowledge on environmental radiation assessment and the development of related radiological transfer databases for Thai rice.
Dr. Rungruang emphasized that the Office of Atoms for Peace under MHESI is firmly committed to advancing the creation of the National Radiation Database, which is a vital mission in building a sustainable health shield for the Thai population.
