Thailand is a constitutional monarchy with the King as the ruling monarch. King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the ninth king of the House of Chakri, has reigned for more than 69 years, making him the longest reigning Thai monarch and the longest reigning current monarch in the world. The King is recognized as the Head of State, the Head of the Armed Forces, the Upholder of the Buddhist religion, and Defender of the Faith. Thailand is the only country in Southeast Asia that has never been colonized by a European power.

Geographically, Thailand is situated in Southeast Asia with bordering along the Andaman Sea, the Gulf of Thailand and the southeast of Myanmar. The geographic coordinate is 15 00 N and 100 00 E. The total area is 514,000 km² including the land 511,770 km² and water 2,230 km². It is bordered by Myanmar 1,800 km, Cambodia 803 km, Laos 1,754 km, Malaysia 506 km. The climate is tropical. The rainy season is during middle May to September and the winter season is dry and cool during November to middle March. The southern part of Thailand is always hot and humid.

Thailand’s terrain is generally composed of central plain with Khorat Plateau in the east and mountains elsewhere. The lowest elevation is Gulf of Thailand 0 m and the highest elevation is Doi Inthanon 2,576 m. The natural resources include tin, rubber, natural gas, tungsten, tantalum, timber, lead, fish, gypsum, lignite and fluorite. Agricultural lands and irrigation land is 49,860 km² which covers 27.54% with the permanent crops 6.93%.

The population of Thailand is 65,124,716. Thailand's population is mostly rural. It is concentrated in the rice-growing areas of the central, northeastern, and northern regions. As Thailand continues to industrialize, its urban population (principally in the Bangkok area) is growing. Accurate statistics are difficult to arrive at, as millions of Thai migrate from rural areas to Bangkok, then return to their place of origin to help with seasonal field work. However, based on the total land area and the total population, the population density of Thailand is estimated to be about 127 people per km².

TABLE 1. POPULATION INFORMATION

Source: NESDB (http://www.nesdb.go.th/).

TABLE 2. GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT (GDP)

*PPP: Purchasing Power Parity.

Source: IMF World Economic Outlook Database 2012 (www.imf.org).

TABLE 3. AVAILABLE ENERGY SOURCES

Source: Fossil Fuels: Energy Statistics of Thailand 2012 by Energy Policy and Planning Office.

Renewables: Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand.

TABLE 4. ENERGY STATISTICS

*Energy consumption = Primary energy consumption + Net import (Import - Export) of secondary energy.

**Solid fuels include coal, lignite.

Source: Energy Policy and Planning Office.

On investment in energy infrastructure; the NCPO has approved investment projects of the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand, the Provincial Electricity Authority and the Metropolitan Electricity Authority to meet the needs of households and the industrial sector and to promote energy security in the future. A five-year plan will be drafted to specify the demand for electricity for industrial and household sectors. This will help decide where and how the electricity power plants should be built. A clear and comprehensive set of strategies consisting of short- and long-term measures must be developed. The NCPO has approved urgent projects to replace those that are about to expire, for example, the Mae Moh Power Plant Units 4-7 Replacement Project, as the Units will expire in 2017. Others include the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand’s project to extend transmission lines Phase 12, transmission system development projects in the western and southern regions in order to enhance security of electricity supply and to prevent power failures and power shortages in the south. The NCPO also approved the Board of Investment of Thailand’s promotion of investment in waste-to-energy facilities and renewable energy power plants. Last week, 3-4 projects had been approved to encourage the use of waste-to-energy supply and other renewable energy supplies. We have clearly announced our policy to prioritize the consideration of projects that does not have environmental impact and are environmental-friendly. Government promotion will particularly focus on such projects. 

In the past, we never clearly specified the criteria on where, how and when the projects will be carried out, which caused conflicts. The power plant operations will be conducted in line with the third revision of Thailand’s Power Development Plan (2010-2030), which requires that Thailand will generate sufficient electricity to sustain the country’s economic growth in the future. We have to specify how much energy we will produce domestically, how much will be purchased from abroad, and how much alternative or renewable energy will be used. We will have to move forward according to this plan. A 1-year or 5-year plan will be drafted. All projects should have a long-term work plan to ensure against unsustainability and unfair treatment as they lead to corruption. The construction of power plants will be distributed in every region and will not be centralized within the industrialized zone or the central region. In the next 5 to 10 years, there must be sufficient power plants in every region as this could solve the issue of power shortages. We have to be more self-reliant in terms of energy even in places where we buy energy from abroad.

Source: National Broadcast By General Prayut Chan-o-cha Head of the National Council for Peace and Order 22 August 2014.

Electricity Authority of Thailand (EGAT) formulated a national Power Development Plan for the period of 2015-2036, known as PDP 2015, within the framework of the Ministry of Energy’s policies. It replaces the former PDP 2010 Revision 3. The plan was approved by the National Energy Policy Council (NEPC) on May 14^th 2015 and will have been approved by the Cabinet by the first week of June 2015. The plans have been used as a guideline for planning the construction of EGAT’s new power plants, power purchase from independent power producers (IPPs), small power producers (SPPs) and neighbouring countries, as well as transmission system development to accommodate those new power capacities. According to the current PDP2015, the net additional capacity during 2015-2036 is 57,459 MW (this amount includes the additional capacity from new power plant projects and some power purchased from SPPs and VSPPs). When adding the net additional into the current installed capacity as of May 2015 subtracting the capacity of retired power plant from the system, the total installed capacity becomes 70,335 MW in 2036.

The strategies of PDP 2015 focused on:

• Security and adequacy of power system following the policies of the Ministry of Energy (MoEN) on environmental concerns;

• Promotion of energy efficiency and renewable energy to be in line with the Energy Efficiency Development Plan (EE Plan 2015-2036) and the Alternative Energy Development Plan (AEDP 2015-2036);

• Promotion of cogeneration system as the efficient electricity generation;

• Reasonable electric tariff.

Thailand has adopted the enhanced single buyer model (ESB) in which EGAT is the sole buyer of electricity as shown in Figure 1. In the generation system, EGAT is in charge of a dominant electricity supply which presently owns approximately 45% (as of May 2015) of total power plants capacity in the country and the rests are owned by private power companies in three categories; Independent Power Producers (IPPs), Small Power Producers (SPPs), Very Small Power Producers (VSPPs), including some portion of imported electricity from neighbouring countries. In addition to the electricity generation and acquisition, EGAT is also responsible for the country’s transmission system as well as national and regional control centres. There are two distributing utilities in the Thai electricity system, namely the Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA) and the Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA). The MEA is responsible for the distribution, sales and provision of electric energy services in Bangkok Metropolis, Nonthaburi and Samut Prakran provinces and the PEA serves the rest of the area in the country.

FIG 1. Enhanced Single Buyer Model

TABLE 5. ELECTRICITY PRODUCTION, CONSUMPTION AND CAPACITY

Electricity transmission losses are not deducted.

Source: EGAT.

TABLE 6. ENERGY RELATED RATIOS

*Net import / Total energy consumption.

Source: EGAT, EPPO.

Thailand first considered a nuclear power plant in 1966. The option to build a 600 MW BWR at Aow Pai, Chonburi Province was explored. However, after the discovery of natural gas in the Gulf of Thailand in 1978, the project was postponed indefinitely.

In 2007, nuclear power was reintroduced again in the PDP 2007 and in the superseding PDP 2010. The PDP 2010, in which 5,000 MW of nuclear power was originally incorporated, 5 plants of 1000 MW each.

In 2007, The National Energy Policy Council (NEPC) appointed the Nuclear Power Infrastructure Preparation Committee (NPIPC) and the Nuclear Power Programme Development Office (NPPDO) to prepare nuclear power infrastructure establishment plans (NPIEP) and a nuclear utility plan. From 2008 to 2011, Thailand worked in the pre-project phase and conducted a feasibility studying including selection of preferred sites. Self-evaluation on 19 issues of national nuclear infrastructure was also performed, and in December 2010, the IAEA conducted the Integrated Nuclear Infrastructure Review (INIR) Mission in Thailand. The results from the self-evaluation and INIR Mission suggested that Thailand was ready to make a knowledgeable commitment to nuclear power. However, there are several major gaps that should be addressed to continue overall progress in developing an appropriate national nuclear power infrastructure. In the short term, the Government should make a concrete commitment for safe, secure, and peaceful implementation of nuclear power. The national nuclear legislations and regulations are needed to be enhanced to comply with international legal instruments. Also, the details of human resource development plan (HRDP) are required for supporting the nuclear power project.

In early 2011, a “readiness report” was submitted for the government to make the decision to “Go Nuclear.” However, after the accident at Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plants in March 2011, the government announced that the decision to continue with the project was postponed for 3 years, and later changed to 6 years. The current PDP 2015 includes 2 units of nuclear power plant, 1000 MW each, the first nuclear power plant would be expected to be in operation in 2035, and the second one in 2036.

EGAT, under the Ministry of Energy, will be the operator of the nuclear power plants. The Office of Atoms for Peace under the Ministry of Science and Technology currently was chartered as regulatory body for all activities on radioactive sources and nuclear energy.

FIG 2. Chart of nuclear organizations

Pre-project Activity Phase: During 2007-2010 the Ministry of Energy and related organizations closely collaborated to finish all activities according to the IAEA Milestones, consisting of:

• Approving NPIEP;

• Setting up Nuclear Power Program Development Office (NPPDO);

• Infrastructure started;

• Surveying potential sites;

• Completing the feasibility study;

• Public Information & participation.

The Nuclear Power Infrastructure Establishment Plan (NPIEP) was put forth in 2007. During 2008-2010, the organizations involved closely collaborated and completed the pre-project activities in phase 1 in line with IAEA Milestones. Such activities consisted of setting up NPPDO, preparing infrastructure work, conducting a survey of potential sites, conducting the feasibility study, and providing public information and participation.

Based on IAEA’s INIR in December 2010, Thailand is ready to make a knowledgeable commitment to nuclear power and in the future, if the government makes decision to go for nuclear energy, the following phases will take place.

Programme Implementation Phase

• Fully establish regulatory system for Nuclear Power Plant (NPP);

• Legislation and international protocol enacted;

• Prepare to call for bids;

• Suitable site selected for bidding;

• Technology/qualified suppliers selected.

Construction Phase

• Bidding process completed;

• Design and engineering;

• Manufacturing;

• Construction and installation;

• Test runs and installation;

• NPP commissioning license.

Operation Phase

• Operation and maintenance;

• Planning for expansion;

• Industrial and technology development plan.

TABLE 8. PLANNED NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS

Ministry of Energy and EGAT are the main organizations responsible for the preparation and construction of the nuclear power plants.

Not Applicable.

EGAT develops, owns and operates the national transmission. The current grid system covering the entire country mainly operates at 500 kV, 230 kV and 115 kV voltages. The power system operation is divided into five geographical areas: metropolitan, central, northeastern, southern and northern regions. From the National Control Centre based at EGAT's Headquarters and other five regional control centres, EGAT plans, operates and controls the least cost dispatch of generated power from its power plants as well as from private power plants to load centres via its high voltage transmission lines. The grid system is presently linked to Laos by 115 kV and 230 kV lines and to Malaysia by 115 kV, 132 kV and the new 300 kV HVDC lines. In support of the Pre-Feasibility Study 2010 for the nuclear power plant project, the Transmission System Impact Study was performed for the selected site at the time when the nuclear power plant will be built. The study analyses were done to ascertain the impact of new nuclear power plant units on the performance and reliability of the existing transmission grid system and the requirements for reinforcement.

EGAT conducted site survey. A consultant company was engaged in surveying, collecting data and ranking the candidate sites. Originally, 17 sites were selected as potential sites. The surveys were conducted on engineering, economics and environmental aspects. However, the site for the first nuclear power plant has not yet been finalized due to the public opinion in the area.

Public acceptance in the local community is a key factor for the successful development of nuclear power project. EGAT has actively implemented a number of activities to disseminate information on the energy situation in Thailand and “why nuclear power is a viable option for electricity generation”. The activities were aiming to reach not only the local community, but also students, teachers, the media, religious leaders, etc. EGAT has also collaborated with the office of Non-formal and informal education in developing the textbook and teacher’s guide book of “Electricity Usage in Daily Life”, which includes various types of electricity generations. Training the teacher program has been conducted nationwide for sustainable learning process. It is expected that this program will help gaining public acceptance on nuclear power.

TINT and universities teaching nuclear sciences, technology and engineering or physics will conduct the R&D related to nuclear power plants. OAP will also conduct researches important to nuclear safety and regulatory functions.

Not applicable.

The following is a list of national, regional and interregional activities related to nuclear power programme under the IAEA Technical Cooperation that are effective and active in terms of project implementation:

1. THA/0/011 Strengthening Nuclear Science and Technology Education;

2. THA/0/012 Acquiring Regulatory Expertise in Preparation for the First Nuclear Power Plant and for a Research Reactor;

3. THA/0/013 Supporting the National Nuclear Engineering Education Centre;

4. THA/2/014 Technical Support for Upgrading/Establishment of Infrastructure for Introduction of Nuclear Power;

5. THA4015 Upgrading/Establishing the Infrastructure Required for the Introduction of Nuclear Power;

6. RAS/0/047 Supporting Web-Based Nuclear Education and Training through Regional Networking;

7. RAS/0/056: Providing Legislative Assistance;

8. RAS/4/029 Strengthening Nuclear Power Infrastructure and Planning;

9. RAS/7/016 Establishing a Benchmark for Assessing the Radiological Impact of Nuclear Power Activities on the Marine Environment in the Asia-Pacific region;

10. RAS/9/042 Sustainability of Regional Radiation Protection Infrastructure;

11. RAS/9/050 Education and Training in Support of Radiation Protection Infrastructure;

12. RAS/9/054 Strengthening National Regulatory Infrastructures;

13. RAS/9/056   Strengthening Capabilities for Protection of the Public and the Environment from Radiation Practices;

14. RAS/9/057 Strengthening National and Regional Capabilities for Response to Radiological and Nuclear Emergencies;

15. RAS/9/059: Strengthening Nuclear Regulatory Authorities in the Asia and the Pacific Region;

16. RAS/9/060 Developing Human Resources in Nuclear Security;

17. Cooperation between EGAT and Japan Atomic Power Company (JAPC);

18. Cooperation between EGAT and China Guangdong Nuclear Power Holding Co., Ltd (CGNPC)

19. Cooperation between EGAT and GDF-SUEZ;

20. Cooperation between EGAT and Korean Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO).

Atomic Energy for Peace Act 1961 established Thai Atomic Energy Commission for Peace (Thai AEC). The AEC is the regulatory authority of Thailand issuing licenses and regulating facilities and activities on radiation and nuclear issues. The OAP acts as the secretariat of the AEC and the Secretary-General of OAP is the secretary of the Commission.

A Licensing process of nuclear installations is not specified in the main law, the 1961 Act. However, it was considered that the licensing process shall include all stages of the NPPs lifecycle, including site evaluation, design, construction, commissioning, operation, decommissioning and release from regulatory control.

During the licensing process, the regulatory body shall conduct regulatory reviews, assessments, and inspections to ensure that the applicant or licensee complies with licensing and design bases including safety analyses, regulations, and safety criteria.