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Ponpiboon Satangput*, Nares Damrongchai and Chatri Sripaipan
IntroductionCurrently, the growing demand of food and energy causes rapid change in societies and concern over
energy security. In order to handle this subject properly, Thailand’s National Economic and Social Advisory
Council (NESAC) and National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA) with the assistance of APEC Center for Technology Foresight conducted a
research to study social, economic and environmental impacts to Thailand that could potentially caused by the country’s first nuclear power plant. The power demand of Thailand has been growing rapidly, but the energy
resources used for power generation are limited. Thai government has been well aware of the problems.
Recently, Thai government considered nuclear power to be an option for power generation and decided to
conduct a feasibility study to build nuclear power plants in the country. However, if Thailand has the first nuclear power plant installed, many consequences to the country could be anticipated. It is realized that the governmental
decision-makers and stakeholders will need to make certain pre-emptive decisions specifically to address
these potential consequences.
Results and policy impact/implicationsThe study identified a list of emerging issues from now to
the next fifty years, and some key policy recommendations to the government, for example:
1) Public acceptance; Public should be informed both positive and negative aspects of nuclear power.
Information centre should be established to collect data and to report the situation to public, especially, when
there is any nuclear incident.2) Human resource development; 800-1000 well-trained staffs are required to support a 1000 MWe
nuclear power plant. Candidates of high skill positions should have on the job training at countries with high
experience in nuclear technology. HRD should continue, even when the Nuclear power program are delayed.3) Technology localization and technology transfer;
after the country commits to a long term nuclear program, the country should have technology
localization policy to design the direction of domestic industries. Technology transfer should be included in the
procurement contract.
Contact
Ponpiboon SatangputAPEC Center for Technology ForesightTel. +66 2 9448150 • Fax +66 2 644 8191E-mail: [email protected]
2008 INTERNATIONALCONFERENCE
MethodologyAfter an extensive literature review and consulting
leading national advisors in the topic, multiple rounds of group discussion were employed to identify social,
economic and environmental impacts of nuclear power plant in different time frames. The study focused on
three time frames of the nuclear power plant lifespan: the planning stage (0-3 years) construction stage (3-15
years) and operation stage (15-50 years). Local experts and stakeholders in this area were invited to
participate in the group discussions to share their opinions including to develop policy recommendations
to handle emerging issues during the next 50 years due to the possible installation and operation of the
country’s first nuclear power plants.
ConclusionsIt is a very challenging task for a country to have
nuclear energy for the first time. It requires proper development in many aspects, for example, legal and regulatory system, industrial infrastructure commerce, technology development and transfer including HRD, Nuclear Safety and Environmental protection, public acceptance, etc. In order for Thailand to generate
electricity using nuclear power; it is clearly not only the responsibility of government but very wide range
stakeholders need to get involved. Currently, Nuclear Power Plant Development Office (NPPDO), of which some of the authors are also members, is developing policy strategies and action plans to handle the critical issues such as technology localization policy, public
acceptance, HRD and other key issues. Many universities and nuclear related institutions are also studying the current status readiness of the country.
Emerging Challenges for Thailand: THE COMING IMPACTS OF NUCLEAR POWER PLANT
AcknowledgmentsThe author would like to acknowledge Dr. Kopr Kritayakirana (Chair of Nuclear Power Infrastructure Preparation Committee, NPIPC, and senior adviser of NPPDO) and Mr.
Pricha Karasuddhi (senior adviser of NPIPC and NPPDO) for all the advices. My gratitude is also given to all participants at the group discussions held under this
research project for all the ideas and suggestions. This project is funded by Thailand’s National Economic and Social Advisory Council (NESAC).
