On October 25, 2024, at the Asawin Grand Convention Hotel in Bangkok, the National Energy Technology Center (ENTEC), in partnership with the National Metal and Materials Technology Center (MTEC) under the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), organized a seminar titled “R&D Opportunities from SMR (Small Modular Reactor) Program in Thailand” during the 12th International Conference on Materials Science and Technology (MSAT-12).
ENTEC was honored to have esteemed speakers, including Assoc. Prof. Dr. Thawatchai Onjun, Executive Director of Thailand Institute of Nuclear Technology, Dr. Rosaya Teinwan, Senior Executive Vice President, PTT Public Company Limited, Dr. Nirawat Thammajak, Deputy Director, Thailand Science Research and Innovation(TSRI), Dr. Pantip Ampornrat, Senior Nuclear Engineer, Office of Atoms for Peace(OAP) and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Somboon Rassame, Faculty Board Member, Department of Nuclear Technology, Faculty of Engineering, Chulalongkorn University.
Dr. Sumittra Charojrochkul, ENTEC Executive Director and Dr. Pimpa Limthongkul, Director of the Energy Innovation Research Group (EIRG), welcomed the executives from these organizations, with Dr. Kampanart Silva, a researcher at ENTEC, serving as the moderator.
The seminar’s topic, “R&D Opportunities from SMR (Small Modular Reactor) Program in Thailand” garnered significant interest from both the public and private sectors. The discussion focused on how SMR technology differs from large nuclear power plants, its suitability for Thailand, and the educational sector’s role in preparing for SMR research and development to align with the national science and technology plan. The policy dimension was addressed, including material science research and development to support future SMR initiatives from the perspective of Thai research institutions, as well as the private sector’s readiness to implement SMR, such as clean energy and greenhouse gas reduction. The importance of regulating SMR to ensure public safety was also emphasized, highlighting opportunities to link SMR with other research efforts to prepare infrastructure and develop human resources related to SMR in collaboration with various partner agencies.
