On 5 August 2016, H.E. Mr. Don Pramudwinai, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, welcomed Mr. Yukiya Amano, Director-General of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), during his official visit to Thailand from 4 to 6 August 2016. The Foreign Minister and the Director-General discussed how to further enhance the cooperation between Thailand and the IAEA, how nuclear technology could support “Thailand 4.0”, and how Thailand could serve as a regional training hub in the areas of nuclear technology, such as peaceful nuclear applications, nuclear safety, nuclear security and nuclear safeguards.

          The main focus of Mr. Amano’s visit was to deliver a keynote speech on “the Roles of Nuclear Technology and IAEA Contribution to Health and Environmental Issues in Developing Countries” at the 2016 International Conference on Nuclear Science and Technology in Bangkok, which was graciously presided over by Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn.

          During the visit, Mr. Amano also paid a courtesy call on the Prime Minister and the Minister of Science and Technology. He also visited the Office of Atoms for Peace, Thailand Institute of Nuclear Technology and Department of Rice, Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, where he was briefed on the work of the research centers and laboratories which cover various aspects of peaceful applications of nuclear technology, such as nuclear forensics, sterile insect techniques and rice mutation breeding.

          Thailand has been a member of IAEA since 1957, the year of its establishment, and has been collaborating with IAEA in promoting the peaceful uses of nuclear technology to support the country’s development for over fifty years, particularly in areas of energy, medicine, public health, nutrition, agriculture, industry and environmental and natural resources management. Mr. Amano’s visit signifies the close cooperation between Thailand and the IAEA.