Thailand, U.S. strengthen cooperation on nuclear safety and security

Thailand and the United States agreed to strengthen cooperation in the area of nuclear safety and security.

On March 15, 2017, heads of the national regulatory agencies of Thailand and the U.S. signed an Arrangement for the Exchange of Technical Information and Cooperation in Nuclear Safety Matters. This new Arrangement builds on an earlier Arrangement that both countries signed in 2012.

The signing took place on the sidelines of the annual Regulatory Information Conference (RIC) in Rockville, Maryland. About 4,000 participants from over 40 countries worldwide took part in this conference.

Representing Thailand at the signing ceremony was Dr. Atchara Wongsaengchan, Secretary-General of the Office of Atoms for Peace of Thailand (OAP). The Honorable Kristine L. Svinicki, Chairman of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) represented the U.S. side. The signing was witnessed by senior representatives from the Office of the USNRC and the Royal Thai Embassy in Washington, D.C.

The arrangement reflects Thailand’s strong commitment to enhancing international cooperation on nuclear security, safety and safeguards. Thailand has been an active member of the Nuclear Security Summit process and hosted the NSS Sherpa meeting twice. The Prime Minister of Thailand participated in the latest NSS Leaders’ Meeting in Washington, D.C. early last year.

Thailand has also actively participated in the relevant frameworks of the United Nations and was at the forefront in promoting cooperation at the regional level that led to the establishment of the ASEAN Network of Regulatory Bodies on Atomic Energy (ASEANTOM).

Prior to the signing of the arrangement, OAP Secretary-General Dr. Wongsaengchan and USNRC Chairman Svinicki had a bilateral meeting, during which both sides discussed a broad range of cooperation between the two countries. The Thai side informed the U.S. side about the latest legislative developments in Thailand, including the entering into force of the Nuclear Energy for Peace Act 2016. Both sides welcomed the close cooperation between relevant agencies of the two countries and agreed to work closely together in areas such as capacity building and training.

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Washington, D.C.
March 16, 2017