On 25 September 2026, the Office of Atoms for Peace (OAP), under the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI), led by Mr. Phanuphong Pinkrit, Director of the Nuclear and Radiation Licensing Division, together with OAP executives, met with Ms. Nawarot Parakmasit, Director of the Overall Planning Bureau of the Eastern Economic Corridor Office (EECO), and her team. The meeting, held in the Beta Conference Room on the 5th floor of the 60th Anniversary Building, aimed to exchange information and establish collaborative approaches to strengthening nuclear and radiation safety regulatory preparedness for future Small Modular Reactor (SMR) technology in Thailand’s Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC).
The discussions covered key areas of preparedness, including site suitability, legislation, regulatory standards, infrastructure, workforce development, and public communication within the EEC.
These preparations align with the development of future energy technologies. SMRs are small nuclear reactors capable of generating electricity, with the potential to support national energy security and the transition to a low-carbon energy system. Thailand’s preparations must therefore be systematic and consistent with international standards, with public and environmental safety as the highest priorities.
As Thailand’s national regulatory authority for nuclear and radiation safety, OAP plays a central role in developing legislation, regulations, standards, and regulatory systems to accommodate SMR technology throughout its lifecycle. This includes safety assessment, radioactive waste management, emergency preparedness and response, and the development of the necessary workforce and infrastructure. All efforts will be guided by the principles of Safety, Security, and Safeguards (3S) and the recommendations and guidance of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
