Office of Atoms for Peace
Encyclopedia
The Office of Atoms for Peace (OAP) of Thailand (สำนักงานปรมาณูเพื่อสันติ) located in Chatuchak district, Bangkok
, Thailand
, was established in 1961 as the Office of Atomic Energy for Peace, the OAP serves as the main authority in nuclear research in Thailand. The OAP employs approximately 400 people. The research topics and services provided at the OAP include radioisotope production, gamma radiography, neutron activation analysis, neutron radiography, and gemstone irradiation
.
The OAP operates a 2-megawatt nuclear research reactor, Thai Research Reactor 1/Modification 1 (TRR-1/M1). The TRR-1/M1 is of the type TRIGA
Mark III, built by General Atomics
, and began operation in 1962 after being commissioned in 1961 as a 1MW reactor. The TRR-1/M1 underwent its modification during 1975-1977, at which point it began operation as a 2MW reactor. TRR-1/M1 is the only nuclear reactor in Thailand.
In 2006, OAP was divided into two separate entities: the original OAP, which will oversee nuclear and radiation regulations nationally, and the new Thailand Institute of Nuclear Technology
(TINT), which will conduct peaceful nuclear research and offer services to the public.
Bangkok
Bangkok is the capital and largest urban area city in Thailand. It is known in Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon or simply Krung Thep , meaning "city of angels." The full name of Bangkok is Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahintharayutthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom...
, Thailand
Thailand
Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
, was established in 1961 as the Office of Atomic Energy for Peace, the OAP serves as the main authority in nuclear research in Thailand. The OAP employs approximately 400 people. The research topics and services provided at the OAP include radioisotope production, gamma radiography, neutron activation analysis, neutron radiography, and gemstone irradiation
Gemstone irradiation
The gemstone irradiation is a process in which a gemstone is artificially irradiated in order to enhance its optical properties. High levels of ionizing radiation can change the atomic structure of the gemstone's crystal lattice, which in turn alters the optical properties within it...
.
The OAP operates a 2-megawatt nuclear research reactor, Thai Research Reactor 1/Modification 1 (TRR-1/M1). The TRR-1/M1 is of the type TRIGA
TRIGA
TRIGA is a class of small nuclear reactor designed and manufactured by General Atomics. The design team for TRIGA was led by the physicist Freeman Dyson.TRIGA is the acronym of Training, Research, Isotopes, General Atomics.-Design:...
Mark III, built by General Atomics
General Atomics
General Atomics is a nuclear physics and defense contractor headquartered in San Diego, California. General Atomics’ research into fission and fusion matured into competencies in related technologies, allowing the company to expand into other fields of research...
, and began operation in 1962 after being commissioned in 1961 as a 1MW reactor. The TRR-1/M1 underwent its modification during 1975-1977, at which point it began operation as a 2MW reactor. TRR-1/M1 is the only nuclear reactor in Thailand.
In 2006, OAP was divided into two separate entities: the original OAP, which will oversee nuclear and radiation regulations nationally, and the new Thailand Institute of Nuclear Technology
Thailand Institute of Nuclear Technology
Thailand Institute of Nuclear Technology Thai name: สถาบันเทคโนโลยีนิวเคลียร์แห่งชาติLocation: Bangkok, ThailandOverview: An entity established in December 2006 for national nuclear research and development. It is aimed to serve as the research body, cooperating with the Office of Atoms for Peace ...
(TINT), which will conduct peaceful nuclear research and offer services to the public.
OAP functions
- To be the Secretariat of the Atomic Energy for Peace Commission (AEC).
- To regulate radiation safety, nuclear safety, and nuclear material.
- To conduct research and development of nuclear technology.
- To co-ordinate formulation of national policy and strategic plans on peaceful utilization of atomic energy.
- To co-ordinate and carry out commitments and obligations with international organizations and with foreign institutes.
- To co-ordinate and support national security relevant to atomic energy issues.
- To co-ordinate and carry out technical co-operation with organizations in Thailand and abroad.
External links
- Office of Atoms for Peace (http://www.oaep.go.th/)
- Nuclear Society of Thailand (http://www.nst.or.th/)
- Physics Division (http://www.oaep.go.th/physics)
- Chemistry Division (http://www.oaep.go.th/cmsr/)
- Rare Earth Division (http://www.oaep.go.th/rrdc/)
- Agriculture Division (http://www.oaep.go.th/agri/)