An International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) team has commended Thailand for its commitment to strengthening its national regulatory framework for nuclear and radiation safety. The mission, which concluded on February 14, highlighted areas for improvement and encouraged the establishment of a national policy and strategy to further enhance safety protocols.
The Integrated Regulatory Review Service (IRRS) mission was hosted by the Office of Atoms for Peace (OAP) in response to a request from the Thai government. This marked the first IRRS mission in the country. Previous assessments by the IAEA included reviews focused on nuclear security and radiation protection.
While Thailand does not operate nuclear power plants, it utilizes radiation sources for medical, scientific, and industrial applications. The TRR-1/M1 research reactor in Thailand has been operational since 1977, producing isotopes like samarium-153 for nuclear medicine, while also serving as a neutron imaging facility and a training center. Thailand plans to build on its experience with plans for two additional research reactors.
The 12-day IRRS mission examined various aspects, including legal frameworks for safety, regulatory processes, and emergency preparedness. These missions aim to bolster national regulatory infrastructures based on IAEA safety standards and international best practices.
The IRRS team, comprising 15 regulatory experts from 14 nations and three IAEA staff, engaged with OAP personnel and representatives from the Department of Medical Science within the Ministry of Public Health. They also assessed regulatory inspection activities at key facilities, including a radioactive waste management site and the TRR-1/M1 reactor.
Joao Oliveira Martins, IRRS team leader, expressed satisfaction with the collaboration and commitment to safety observed during the review. He noted opportunities to strengthen the regulatory framework further, particularly regarding medical exposure. Martins conveyed confidence that the mission’s recommendations would assist national authorities in their ongoing improvement endeavors.
Among the good practices identified were:
- The robust governmental framework of the Nuclear Energy for Peace Commission, which includes expert subcommittees, aiding safety infrastructure development.
- OAP’s public activities related to safety, particularly regarding consumer products like artificially colored gemstones.
- OAP’s capacity-building initiatives for independent reviews of research reactor applications at various design stages.
- Promotion of an organizational safety culture fostering trust and collaboration among staff.
The IRRS team recommended that the Thai government adopt a national policy for nuclear and radiation safety, bolster the legal framework for medical exposure, and fill existing regulatory gaps.
Pennapa Kanchana, Deputy Secretary-General of OAP, emphasized that the recommendations will be thoroughly analyzed and implemented to improve the national regulatory framework according to IAEA standards.
Director Hildegarde Vandenhove of the IAEA Division on Radiation, Transport, and Waste Safety noted Thailand’s proactive approach, highlighting the importance of drawing lessons from global expertise through IAEA peer reviews.
The final report from the IRRS mission will be provided to the Government of Thailand within approximately three months.
IAEA Safety Standards
The IAEA Safety Standards serve as a comprehensive reference framework outlining principles, requirements, and guidance to ensure the safety of people and the environment from the harmful effects of ionizing radiation, reflecting an international consensus on best practices.
Credit: iaea.org
