The Nuclear Power Plant: The Feasibility Studies and Effect to

Socials –Cultural of Power Plant Which

Construction in Thailand

Dejsingchai Wongkhomton
Research Institute of North-eastern Arts and Culture, Mahasarakham University
Khamriang Sub-District, Kantarawichai District, Maha Sarakham Province, Thailand
E-mail: Dajsingchai.w@irpc.co.th
Tel: +66-3861-1333 ext.1674; Fax: +66-3880-2563

Songkoon Chantachon
Research Institute of North-eastern Arts and Culture, Mahasarakham University
Khamriang Sub-District, Kantarawichai District, Maha Sarakham Province, Thailand

Prayoon Wongjunta
Research Institute of North-eastern Arts and Culture, Mahasarakham University
Khamriang Sub-District, Kantarawichai District, Maha Sarakham Province, Thailand

Abstract
Energy is the most important factor that makes people in promoting welfare and the
happiness in each country around the World. Energy is also directly related to the security
of the nation's political, military, economic and social culture. Currently, additional energy
generating capabilities are required to develop a countries communications and
transportation infrastructure. Nuclear power is an alternative fuel for power generation
where fossil energy e.g. crude oil, natural gas, etc. Electric power is a fundamental
substantial for a living and economic and social development of the country. Nuclear power
plant is an alternative choice. This qualitative study was aimed at: 1) examining the history
of nuclear power plants in Thailand and foreign countries; 2) investigating the current
conditions and the problems of nuclear power plant in Thailand; and 3) exploring the
feasibility on nuclear power plant construction, as well as social and cultural effects from
nuclear power plant construction in Thailand. The research tools included: a survey form,
an interview form, an observation form, a group discussion form, and a seminar workshop
form. Written document and fieldwork data were gathered between September 2010 and
April 2011. Fieldwork data were collected through surveys, interviews, observations, group
discussions, and seminar workshops, from 10 key-informants, 70 casual informants, and 28
general informants, in Rayong, Chainat, and Chumphon provinces. The data were checked
with triangulation technique, analyzed according to the given objectives, and the results of
the study were presented in descriptive analysis form.
The results of the study showed that nuclear power for electricity had been developed in
Russia and United States for a long time, whereas in Thailand it was started in 1960, and
the Office of National Atomic Power was established in 1962. There were two types of
nuclear power---industrial and sciences development. The site of a nuclear power plant
construction must situate at earth’s divided moving line, and it must have enough water, as
well as the convenience in communication and safe.

© Research Journal of Internatıonal Studıes - Issue 21 (October, 2011) 172

 Nowadays energy fuels for producing electricity have been decreased. Besides, these fuels
caused negative effects upon the environments, which highly effected on the cultural
survival of the communities within the area of the construction.
On the feasibility of the power plant construction in Thailand, it was found that the 3
studied sites were different, therefore model of acknowledgement, acceptance, and co-
operation of each area, were different. The researcher proposed the model for the
participant exploration on nuclear power plant construction at the appropriate site through
the cultural knowledge body in locality, the need of the over-all society, the happiness of
the people in the construction area and in the whole country, as well as the living quality of
the people in the construction site and the people in the whole country. The government
sector should promote the learning and transferring of knowledge on nuclear power plant to
all stake holders. In developing and the need of electric power consumption of Thai society,
the private and government sectors had to support and develop the production process,
promote the development of learning, as well as, to assist and to promote learning about the
nuclear power seriously.
In conclusion, the results of the study revealed the history and the important features of
nuclear power plant and the problematic conditions of the nuclear power plant construction
in Thailand, along with the feasibility in nuclear power plant construction, and the cultural
and social impact. Although the nuclear power plant can provide many benefits, but it can
also give dangerous impact as well. The government should conduct more research on the
matter in every aspect before making decision to construction. The most important
concerns are communication process, awareness information to get the public acceptance in
the area where the nuclear power plant to be located. The application of the concept of
culture as a medium for collaboration and management solution, social and cultural impact
in the construction of nuclear power plants in Thailand.

Keywords: The Nuclear Power Plant, Feasibility Studies, Effect, Socials, Cultural, Power
Plant, Construction, Thailand.

1. Introduction
Technological development has always brought about changes to societies or communities. One of the
effects is the resistance to either the advantages or disadvantages of the use of renewable energy from
fossil or petroleum fuels. The production of electricity from nuclear power according to the Power
Development Plan (PDP 2010) is a major change in technology for Thailand using nuclear power for
the production of electricity. The effects of Nuclear power generation on the country’s economic,
social and cultural stability are concerns that need to be carefully studied. The production of electricity
from nuclear power (Nuclear Fission) is new for the people of Thailand.
The factors and reasons that surround the use of nuclear energy to generate electricity such as to
have energy security and provide alternative energy options also affects the social, economic
conditions, cultural differences in the context of a depiction of a variety of ethnic and cultural identity
and endemic in the way of life.

2. Research Area and Methodology

The research tools consisted of a survey form, an interview form, an observation form, a group
discussion form, and a seminar workshop form, The written documents and fieldwork data where
gathered between September 2010 and April 2011. Fieldwork data was collected through surveys,
interviews, and observations, group discussions, and seminar workshops from 10 key Informants, 60
casual Informants, and 14 general Informants.
© Research Journal of Internatıonal Studıes - Issue 21 (October, 2011) 173
3. Research Results and Discussion
3.1. History
There currently is no nuclear power generation plant in Thailand. The Nuclear Society of Thailand has
been set up for any future construction. The use of nuclear energy in Thailand was started officially
with the establishment of the Office of Atomic Energy for Peace according to Atomic Energy for Peace
Act of 2504 BE.. The OAEP started to study the required nuclear options and capacity during the crisis
of October 27, 2505 BE.. Current research reactor capacity in Thailand totals 2 MW, the reactor is
located at the Office of Atoms for Peace. In the future, there are plans to build a 14 megawatt research
reactor at the nuclear research center site at the Office of Atoms for Peace. For over 40 years the
research reactor at the Office of Atoms for Peace has been operated safely to generate the neutrons and
gamma rays required for scientific research.
Nuclear power generation plants are based on the generation of electricity by “capturing” the
heat energy released from the fission reaction by uranium fuel in a reactor vessel. The first electricity
to be generated by nuclear energy was in 1951 at the EBR-1 experimental station near the city of Arco,
Idaho in the USA. The World's first nuclear power plant to supply electrical power to a grid was APS-1
Obninsk: Atomic Power Station 1 Obninsk, in the city of Obninsk, Russia, where operations started on
June 27, 1954. The World’s first commercial nuclear power plant in 1956 was the Calder Hill plant in
Sellafield, England with an initial capacity of 50 MW. The USA’s first commercial nuclear power
plant with a capacity of 75 MW was constructed at Shippingport, Pennsylvania, USA to supply
electrical power to the city of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in December 2500 BE (1957). Later on in the
2502 BE, the nuclear power plant in Dresden (A boiling water reactor) started to operate to supply the
town of Morris. Illinois. There are currently 438 nuclear power plants and 31 plants under construction
(January 2544 BE.) in Worldwide.
The Countries where the largest proportion of electricity generated is generated from nuclear
power plants are; France at 75 percent of all electricity generated, following by Belgium, Bulgaria,
Lithuania, the Republic of Slovenia and Japan which nuclear power accounted for 73.1, 57.7, 47.1 and
47 percent of electrical power generated respectively. For other countries in Asia the numbers of
operating nuclear power plants are; 53 plants in Japan (under construction 4 plants), 16 plants in South
Korea (under construction 4 plants), 4 plants in India, 6 plants in Taiwan (under construction 2 plants),
3 plants in China (under construction 7 plants), 2 plants in Pakistan and under construction are 2 plants
in Iran. In addition, Indonesia has hired a consulting firm from Japan to perform a Feasibility study of
the location and construction of nuclear power plants. Indonesia is expected to construct of a 600
megawatt nuclear power plant after the year 2546 BE. The Philippines has constructed a 650 megawatt
nuclear power plant which has been completed, but was disabled due to political reasons. At present,
there is plan to bring the Philippine plant back by concession for the operation of the plant for 30 years.

3.2. Current Conditions and Problems

Thailand has to develop an electric power plan sufficient for the needs of the people in Thailand.
According to the National Energy Development Plan in 2007 (PDP 2007: Power Development Plan)
and the year of 2010 (PDP 2010: Power Development Plan) a tentative construction schedule is from
2563BE. to 2567BE... Most of the people living in the potential construction areas, that were identified
as an area suitable for the construction of nuclear power plants, do not know that the areas have been
studied for nuclear reactors since 2505 BE.. They do not know that the energy would be from uranium.
They also do not know the type, size, quantity, and safety systems of nuclear power plants etc. People
in these areas only know that the government plans to build nuclear power plants in the country. The
main problem of acceptance in society is a fear that harm will occur. This is because at the mention of
the word “nuclear” most people think of the nuclear reactor explosion at the Chernobyl nuclear power
plant in the city of Chernobyl, Russia since 2529BE. That accident caused the evacuation from the
Chernobyl area of a large number of people. During the accident many employees of the plant, and
fireman were injured, it has been admitted the dose of radiation affected about 300 people and killed 31
© Research Journal of Internatıonal Studıes - Issue 21 (October, 2011) 174
people, most of which are fireman. This underscores a frightening increase. Note: the Chernobyl plant
lacked all of the safeguards and shutdown capabilities that current plants under study would have.
Advances have been made in the study of the possibility of a nuclear power plant (Nuclear
Power Plant Feasibility Study) conducted by EGAT from October 1, 2551BE through June 20,
2553BE. The first commercial nuclear power plant project will be implemented by the followings
phases.
1. The feasibility study was completed by May 2553BE.
2. The entire program schedule, 2554BE-2556BE.
3. Invitation to Bid (ITB) in May 2556BE.
4. Construction, 2557BE-2562BE.
5. Start-up power system and tie in to the Grid, 2563BE.
Evaluation and selection the location of a nuclear power plant (Candidate Sites) as step 1,
conducted to evaluate the safety, economics and the environment. The location may be selected from
17 locations; EGAT will determine the location at least 5 out of 17 for further considerations. The
operation in Step 1 is to prepare engineering data such as topography, geology, oceanography,
hydrographic, geological and technical analysis, earthquake and environmental issues such as events
caused by human activities, demography meteorology, the use of water resources and land species
threatened, ecologically sensitive areas and the economic cost of construction of the plant. The
operation in step 2, note: the majority of this step is to study in detail the initial data collection from
step 1. The observation and exploration of various aspects of the terrain, geology, oceanography,
hydrographic techniques social science series, earthquake, assessment of exposure (Dose Assessment),
the use of water resources and land species threatened, economic, social and cultural impact of the cost.
In terms of the economic and social development, the study from oversea countries found that
since 2393BE until now, the world's energy consumption increased only 4 times during 2525BE-
2533BE. Energy consumption increased by 24% and the percentage will increase to 50%-70% in
2563BE, although the effort significantly to energy savings, and efficiently have been considered and
performed. Future development of renewable and nuclear energy to support the growth of the demand
for electricity in the country, nuclear power is an alternative option to consider if the energy needs of
people in the country continue to increase as in the past.

3.3. The Possibility of the Construction and Social & Cultural Impacts
Plan is approved from the Cabinet and be contained in the energy development plan for 2549BE-
2559BE. Since the project team and other relate parties have been prepared information of technology,
the approached locations that are suitable for construction. The project team also has a clear plan of
operations for the path forward. The budget for basic education and research has also been approved.
But the clarity of the government plan for the project in Section 2 is still waiting and is subject to social
and cultural impacts. Due to there may be cultural resistance up to and including violence that will
affect the overall economy and image of the government. The overall effect of this will cause
disharmony in society, which is also discrimination due to by either the opposition or support by
various social and community groups. In addition, the impacts of plant construction on cultural
traditions are part of the discussions topics as well. Due to the migration of many workers in the
construction area that will impact to the people in the area in term of comparison and competitive
between new coming people and local people. The local economic community will be destroyed by
consumerism. The local cultures are to change to align with the culture of the overall society. However,
Thai culture has a strong foundation. The test of the situation of social change that is good in Thai
society, it also appears that culture has a great opportunity by building a nuclear plant in Thailand.
Society and culture are important considerations.

© Research Journal of Internatıonal Studıes - Issue 21 (October, 2011) 175

4. Relation Culturally
CHSQ
C: Culture consists of four elements.
1. Cultural and evolutionary psychology.
2. Mechanical stability.
3. Symbolic.
4. Civilizations.
The theory of cultural evolution as a theory of duty, Theory of conflict, The diffusion theory
etc.
H: happiness, good growth and development, etc.
S: social combination of individuals from two or more persons whose activities together and
social systems, recognition that human beings are social animals, social institutions of the different
social norms, including traditional folkways and laws.
Q: need a better quality of life such as food, housing, clothing, medicine, communication
facilities, stability, security etc.

A chart: The cycle associates the basic need to life survival in development near industrial areas.

The results showed that Development of nuclear energy for use in the production of electricity
have been developed in the United States and Sierra national government. In Thailand, the
development of nuclear power since 2503 BE. Wed Fri Bamboo Bay,Sriracha,Chonburi and Energy
Office. National Atomic in 2505 BE. Wed Fri nuclear power appears to have two types of
characteristics and application of industrial and scientific development. The construction of nuclear
power plants will be constructed in areas that are not in line with the motion of the earth and water
resources are adequate as well as convenient transportation and safe. Current problems in the
production of coal for electricity increases in production from natural sources including those of energy
affect the environment due to burning. The impact severely on the viability of the culture of the
community in that area is constructed as well as the culture of power of the people in the country.
The construction of nuclear power plant in Thailand found that the areas used as a case study of
all 3 are different, so the pattern recognition acceptance and cooperation of each area is different.
Researchers propose a model of participation in a joint study of the construction in areas with
conditions suitable for construction by applying a pattern of using knowledge of culture in place
(Cultural) the needs of society as a whole (Social) happiness of the people in the area with the
construction and the people in the country (Happiness) and the quality of life of people. Area and
quality of life of people in the country (Quality) The government should take the part in the promotion
of learning and knowledge about nuclear power plants to a stake in the construction plants and to
promote unity in the community, whose development and energy consumption of the Thai society,
private and public sector to promote the development process. Promote the development of forms of
learning as well as to help Promote learning about nuclear power seriously

© Research Journal of Internatıonal Studıes - Issue 21 (October, 2011) 176

5. Suggestions and Recommendations
5.1. Recommendations from the research results are how changes in economic, social, cultural,
political and communications technology affects society, especially in communications, affecting the
behavior of people in the community, social and cultural change, changes in economic relationship in
the community to caring for each other, relationships decrease. Therefore the research of nuclear power
is a study of the feasibility and social impact, culture of the plant in Thailand. The collection of the
knowledge and history with nuclear power plants, which can be detectable that will lead to the
formation of a database.

Chart B. The flow chart is to show a route line model CSHQ in construction of a nuclear power
plant to reduce the effects on people with protective cultural and philosophy prototype including
communicating method technology.
5.2. The research results give insight into the current state and energy management, security,
community and continues to receive cooperation from academia, government organizations,
community leaders and citizens working together to find out the ways to implement backup power
sources of the country.
5.3. The opportunities for construction, socio-cultural impacts (in 2554BE).The case study from
an earthquake and resulting Tsunami along the coast of Japan, looking at damage by the disaster and
the explosion of a nuclear power plant. The opportunities for study that the crisis presented should be
taken as a case study because earlier studies did not test the whole system of political, economic, social
structure and people, including international cooperation.
5.4. Study the history of the construction and impact of nuclear power plants in other parts of
the world, to capture and store a database due to the development of nuclear energy, the development
and continuous improvement, related to staff people in the country and the international community,
society, culture, and changing technology which is changing and moving all the time and used as a
database for decision making in developing the countries.
5.5. Study the performance and impacts on the local population during the construction phase
and after construction is completed. Studying the impact of social and cultural factors which are
important indicators of success, for the construction of nuclear power plants in Thailand.
In case there is no construction of nuclear power plants in Thailand. The study topics should be
examined so that the factors that contributed to the failed construction plan can to be attributed to the
development and education for the future knowledge base.

© Research Journal of Internatıonal Studıes - Issue 21 (October, 2011) 177

References
[1] Adisorn, Na Ubon. Knowledge Management in Online Distance Education. New York:
McGraw-Hill, 2002.
[2] Bourgeois, L. J. and Astley W. Graham. International Studies of Management & Oraganization.
White Bruce Gaston, (Producer) Siames Classiscal Music Volume 3 The String Ensemble
(Tape). Chieng Mai : Payab University Auditorium Chieng Mai, 1992.
[3] Christopher R. Locke, “Environmental Crimes : The Absence of “Intent” and the Complexities
of Compliance,” Columbia Journal of Environmental Law 16 : 2 (1991) : 313.
[4] Cartledge, M Daniel. “Taming the Mountain: Human Ecology, Indigenous Knowledge and
Susutainable Recource Management in the Doko Gamo Society of Ethiopia,” Dissertation
Abstract International. 56(11): 441; May, 1996.
[5] Closer, L.A. “Social Conflict and the Theory of Social Change,” British Journal of Sociology.
8(2): 197-207; March, 1957.
[6] Charles T. Poston: The Nuclear Power Plant for safety and security (2008:19-22) The
University of Missouri Columbia
[7] Dayar, Nancy Alice. Assessing the Environmental Attitudes and Behaviors of a Seventh Grade
School Population.Dissertation Abstracts International. 37, 1 (July 1976):110-A, 111-A.
[8] Duncan, W. R., A Guide to The Project Management Body of Knowledge. USA. : PMI
Publishing Division, 1996.
[9] Ember, Carol R .and Ember, Melvin. 1993. Anthropology. New Jersey: Pretige-Hall, Inc.Friedl,
John. 1981. The Human Portrait: Introduction to Cultural Anthropology. New Jersey: Pretige-
Hall, Inc.
[10] Gurng, Om Prasad. Customary System of Natural Resource Management Among TaramiMagar
of Western Nepal. Napal: Cornell University, 1997.
[11] Gold, S. The University of North Caroling at Chapel Hill. Doctor’s Thesis New York:
University of North Carolina Press, 2002.
[12] Keyser, S. Why a Learning Organization. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2004.
[13] Law Reform Commission of Canada, Sentencing in Environmental Cases, pp.2-3.,
(1979):AC114.
[14] McGee, R. Jon and Warms, Richard L. 2004. Anthropology Theory: An Introductory History.
New York: McGraw Hill, Inc.
[15] Preissing, John. Community Economic Development Strategic Planning for Rural
Communities: A Case Study of Successful Programs. Minnesota: University of Minnesota,
2006
[16] Peter W, Harvey “Social Determinants of Health-Why We C continue to lgnore them In the
Search for Improved Population Health Outcomes, “Australian Health Review.30 (4):419;
November, 2006.
[17] Scupin, Raymond and Decorse, Christopher R. 2004. Anthropology : A Global Perspective.
New Jersey : Pearson Education, Inc. Tummala, V. M. R., *9 Burchett, J. F. 'Applying a risk
management (RMP) to manage cost risk for an EIIV transmission line project." Intemational
Jorrrnal of Project Management. 17 (4) (1999) : 223 -235.
[18] Umelo, Anthony N. A survey of environmental perceptions and knowledge of environmental
issue possessed by science and non-science educators in Nigeria, 1982. Dissertation Abstracts
International 43 (April 1983): 3281-A.
[19] Veld, J., and Peeters, W. A. "Keeping large projects under control: the importance of contract
type selection." Project hzfanagemen7l' (3) (1989): 155- 162'.

© Research Journal of Internatıonal Studıes - Issue 21 (October, 2011) 178