NLA accepts Nuclear Energy Act, forms committee to amend draft

Thammarat Thadaphrom

BANGKOK, 13 February 2016 (NNT) - The National Legislative Assembly (NLA) has voted 189-0 to accept the Nuclear Energy Act and formed a committee to amend the draft within 15 days.

The NLA’s plenary session chaired by President Pornpetch Wichitcholachai passed the Nuclear Energy Act in a unanimous decision before setting up a 15-member committee responsible for amending the draft act.

Prior to the vote, Science and Technology Minister Dr. Pichet Durongkaveroj had informed the lawmakers that Thailand needed to amend the Atomic Energy for Peace Act, B.E. 2504, pointing out that the old law is outdated and not suited to today’s circumstances as it no longer complies with international treaties and agreements on nuclear power.

He said the new act, if promulgated, will help ensure people’s safety as well as regulate all nuclear power related businesses according to international standards.

The NLA then expressed the opinion that the new act would allow Thailand to conduct useful research and pave the way for development in many sectors.

The legislature also recommended that responsible agencies carefully and thoroughly study the pros and cons of the technology.

-- NNT 2016-01-13

Makes me worry when they want to progress with nuclear energy. It would be great to see them actively pursuing alternative energy sources.

Makes me worry when they want to progress with nuclear energy. It would be great to see them actively pursuing alternative energy sources.

They can want all they like.....it will not happen until systems, corruption, laws are upheld, and the like.....

The IAEA would not allow the source to be provided to Thailand for power reactor....

Makes me worry when they want to progress with nuclear energy. It would be great to see them actively pursuing alternative energy sources.

Better still a process they can deal with. Steam driven generators will do just fine. Just need a few dams and sufficient water resources then. Oh I forgot its the 1920's. Not enough to farm and drink yet.

IAEA looks like they have already sorted out the committee, look at the vote , be warned though Like Japan there are no second chances with Nuclear disasters, Nuclear is not cheap when you factor in waste storage for 10,000 years

Makes me worry when they want to progress with nuclear energy. It would be great to see them actively pursuing alternative energy sources.

They only actively pursue money

IAEA looks like they have already sorted out the committee, look at the vote , be warned though Like Japan there are no second chances with Nuclear disasters, Nuclear is not cheap when you factor in waste storage for 10,000 years

Waste storage,silly boy, we have the sea, do it Thai style,dump it.

Pigs will fly when Thailand will have a nuclear energy and a high speed train ...

The 200-member NLA accepted the Nuclear Energy Act in a unanimous 189-0 decision. Unsaid are 11 absentees that seems to be the trend in 2016 - active duty military? At least in 2014/15 there was usually 3-5 votes in opposition with some absentees.

Prayut must be pleased with his personal legislative branch that keeps accepting, reading and passing bills without much fanfare or information. Much more efficient than any elected parliament.