The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) completed an advisory service mission to Thailand focused on assessing the country's nuclear security regime for nuclear and other radioactive material out of regulatory control (MORC). The INSServ team said the country has established a robust framework to manage MORC and provided recommendations and suggestions on how specific aspects of the national nuclear security regime implementation, such as a risk-informed national detection strategy, coordination among stakeholders and the nuclear security culture, could be more effectively addressed.
The International Nuclear Security Advisory Service (INSServ) mission, conducted at the request of the Government of Thailand, took place from 2 to 13 September 2024. Hosted by the Office of Atoms for Peace (OAP) of Thailand, the mission involved a team of eight international experts from Argentina, Brazil, China, Egypt, United States of America, Viet Nam and the IAEA. The INSServ mission was the first of its kind to Thailand.
"The MORC-related nuclear security detection and response arrangements are well-addressed within Thailand's nuclear security legal framework," said Elena Buglova, Director of the IAEA's Division of Nuclear Security. "We welcome Thailand's efforts and commitment to enhance the national nuclear security regime, which is also reflected in the country's continued cooperation with the IAEA."
INSServ missions aim to help States to better prevent, detect and respond to criminal and intentional unauthorized acts involving nuclear or other radioactive material, known as MORC, which is lost, missing, stolen, improperly disposed of, or not adequately stored or handled. The scope of the INSServ mission covered the basis for nuclear security systems and measures for MORC; detection system and measures; and response system and measures.
During the mission, the team conducted a series of meetings with officials from the OAP, Office of the National Security Council, Counter Terrorist Operations Center, Royal Thai Armed Forces, Royal Thai Police, Thai Customs Department, Port Authority of Thailand, Bangkok Port Customs Office, Laem Chabang Port Customs Office, Chiang Khong Customs Office and Chulalongkorn University.
In Bangkok, the team conducted site visits to the OAP, Thai Customs Department, Bangkok Port and Chulalongkorn University. The team also visited Laem Chabang Port in the Chonburi province, which has radiation portal monitors, as well as other radiation detection equipment. In the Chiang Rai province, the team visited the Chiang Khong Border Checkpoint, which borders Lao People's Democratic Republic.
"Thailand has developed a robust framework to manage MORC. We appreciate the strong cooperation and commitment demonstrated throughout the mission, and we hope that the recommendations and suggestions provided will help the country in further enhancing its nuclear security regime for managing these materials," said Team Leader Carlos Nogueira from Brazil.
The INSServ team concluded that a strategy for the implementation of nuclear security systems and measures at major public events could further enhance the overall national nuclear security regime. The team also made recommendations to Thailand to further utilize available resources to meet training needs for the staff involved in detecting MORC.
"The recommendations provided are valuable to help us navigate the way forward in achieving our commitment to advance nuclear security capabilities. It is our aim to put great assiduity to broaden and strengthen national collaboration, while also continuing to join forces with global partners in promoting and sustaining international nuclear security," said Pasit Lorterapong, Secretary General of OAP.
The experts identified good practices focused on Thailand´s commitment to global cooperation for nuclear security, especially through the continued participation in the IAEA's coordinated research projects related to MORC and specifically to novel detection instruments, such as mobile apps, supporting the national nuclear security detection architecture. In addition, the team noted the use of a database for the effective management and sustainability of response equipment. The country's Nuclear Forensics Laboratory was also recognized for its capabilities in supporting investigations of criminal activities involving nuclear or other radioactive material.
The IAEA's INSServ mission is part of its ongoing efforts to assist Member States in strengthening their nuclear security regimes in relation to MORC. The Agency provides a range of services in this area, including expert advice, training and equipment support, to help Member States protect against criminal or intentional unauthorized acts involving such materials.
The draft findings and recommendations were presented to the Government of Thailand, and the final report will be presented in about three months.
Background
The mission was the 88th INSServ mission conducted by the IAEA, since the programme began in 2006.
INSServ missions, based on the INSServ guidelines published in 2019, assist States in establishing, maintaining and strengthening their nuclear security regime related to nuclear and other radioactive material out of regulatory control.
The missions provide independent advice on implementing international instruments, along with IAEA guidance on the prevention and detection of and response to criminal and intentional unauthorized acts involving nuclear and other radioactive material out of regulatory control.
