IAEA team to visit Thailand for nuclear power plant plan

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21:41, September 04, 2007

A team of experts from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) will visit Thailand later this month for consultations regarding Bangkok's plan to build its first nuclear power plant, a Thai senior energy official said Tuesday.

Thai News Agency quoted Chavalit Pichalai, Energy Policy and Planning Office Deputy Director General, as saying that the IAEA team was scheduled to be in Bangkok from Sept. 24 to 28 to advise a preparatory committee on the feasibility of nuclear power.

The committee, chaired by Dr. Korb Krittayakeeron, a former National Science and Technology Development Agency official, was drafting the preparatory plan, which was expected to be completed in October and be submitted to the National Energy Policy Office for further consideration.

Under the so-called Power Development Plan, four 1,000-megawatt nuclear power plants would be built and start generating electricity around 2020-2021.

In the next seven years, the government will develop safety standards, establish a regulatory framework and train the necessary personnel.

After that, it would take another six years to complete the plant's construction.

The government has not decided on the location of the plant but the southern provinces of Ranong, Chumphon and Surat Thani, all close to the sea in order to supply coolant water to the plant, have emerged as possible sites.

Chavalit said the government decided to develop nuclear energy because it is recognized as efficient and cost-effective, and emits no carbon dioxide.

Source: Xinhua

I'm sure I read somewhere that Chonburi was being considered.

Pattaya might be a good compromise though !!!!

(can't pollute the water anymore than it already is)