Thailand’s nuclear power debate heats up as U.S., China build SMRs

• Advances in nuclear power have added fuel to Thailand’s debate on tapping the energy source, potentially creating opportunities for U.S. and Chinese companies pushing reactor designs touted as safer.
• Last year, 80% of Thais were neutral toward building reactors, the Thailand Institute of Nuclear Technology found in an analysis of social media posts. The institute said this creates an opportunity to win over the public on the issue.
• But many in the public remain wary of nuclear power. Those concerns were heightened in March when a cylinder containing radioactive cesium-137 went missing at a coal plant. The cylinder was found days later, but the episode exposed lax oversight of radioactive material.

External Link : https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Energy/Thailand-s-nuclear-power-debate-heats-up-as-U.S.-China-build-SMRs