Thailand's Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont on Monday discussed the possibility of Thailand's nuclear power development with the director-general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) during his current visitto Thailand.
"In the near future we will have to consider the application ofnuclear powered electricity. The preparations might take time, including training expert personnel and promotion of public awareness," Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont said after receiving IAEA chief Mohamed ElBaradei.
As a guest of Ministry of Science and Technology, ElBaradei gave a special address at the Sixth National Congress on Science and Technology, which opened Monday in Bangkok.
"It is a good opportunity that we could talk with an expert about this alternative energy source, because the preparations must be done very carefully, especially to encourage thorough understanding (of nuclear power) among the people," Surayud was quoted by the state-run Thai News Agency as saying.
ElBaradei said the IAEA and Thailand would strengthen their cooperation in developing Thailand's infrastructure for a nuclear power plant equipped with proper security and adequate technology.
The IAEA chief is scheduled to leave for Malaysia on Tuesday.
