Building the workforce for Thailand’s nuclear energy future
MHESI joins 14 national organisations to develop specialists in nuclear technology, regulation, small modular reactor power plants and lifelong learning, in support of net zero.
On 5 November 2026, at the Office of Atoms for Peace (OAP), Thailand announced a new collaborative initiative to prepare its workforce for nuclear energy. The Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI), through the OAP and the Office of the National Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation Policy Council (NXPO), joined the Ministry of Education and 14 national partner organisations in a shared commitment to establish a principal national mechanism for workforce development. The initiative will prepare personnel for the operation of small modular reactor (SMR) power plants, the regulation of nuclear activities and the application of advanced nuclear technologies.
The cooperation supports the policy direction set by Professor Dr Yodchanan Wongsawat, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, who chairs the Nuclear Energy for Peace Commission (NEPC). The commission endorsed his policy on SMR regulation on 8 September 2026. Its long-term objectives are to strengthen energy security, contribute to the target of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions and improve Thailand’s economic and social competitiveness.
At the first meeting of 2026 on policy implementation for national workforce development and regulation, chaired by Dr Rungrueng Kitphati, Secretary-General of the OAP, the OAP and Associate Professor Wongkot Wongsapai, Vice-President of NXPO, presented the Draft National Human Resource Development Framework for 2028–2032. It comprises three principal strategic proposals: (1) a draft national SMR workforce plan; (2) a draft conceptual framework for lifelong learning curricula; and (3) a draft proposal for developing the supporting ecosystem and mechanisms.
The meeting set a target of training at least 1,000 specialist personnel for the programme, including no fewer than 345 people at foundational level within the first three years. Workforce development will also incorporate the internationally recognised “3S” principles of Safety, Security and Safeguards into education at every level.
To implement the policy effectively across all relevant areas, cooperation has been coordinated among 14 national organisations, arranged into four main groups:
- Policy and regulation: NXPO (represented by Associate Professor Wongkot Wongsapai, Dr Chanwit Udomsakdikul, Dr Chalotorn Boonlua and Dr Chanida Saensa-ard); the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Energy (represented by Peerapong Boonsaeng); the Energy Policy and Planning Office (EPPO); and the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC).
- Energy and industry: the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT); the Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA); and the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), represented by Atthapong Sathitmanotham.
- Basic education and research: the Office of the Basic Education Commission (OBEC); the Institute for the Promotion of Teaching Science and Technology (IPST); and the Thailand Institute of Nuclear Technology (Public Organisation) (TINT).
- Higher education institutions: King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang (KMITL), represented by its President, Associate Professor Komsan Maleesee, and Associate Professor Wipoo Sriseubsai; together with academic representatives from Kasetsart University, Suranaree University of Technology, Chulalongkorn University and King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi.
This national collaboration, led by MHESI through the OAP and NXPO, is intended to turn national policy into practical measures. The next step is to secure the appointment of a subcommittee to prepare the final plan and an action plan for fiscal year 2028. These documents will guide the allocation of the science, research and innovation budget.
The completed plans will be submitted to the Nuclear Energy for Peace Commission, the National Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation Policy Council, and the Cabinet for consideration and approval.
The initiative is intended to support Thailand’s transition towards clean energy under regulatory arrangements consistent with international safety standards, while improving quality of life, protecting the environment and promoting sustainable economic and social prosperity.
Office of Atoms for Peace
Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation
Originally published on the Office of Atoms for Peace Facebook page:
