On January 14, the United States and the Kingdom of Thailand signed an Agreement for Cooperation Concerning Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy (or “123 Agreement”) in Bangkok. The 123 Agreement was signed by U.S. Ambassador to Thailand Robert F. Godec and Thailand’s Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research, and Innovation (MHESI) Supamas Isarabhakdi. Once entered into force, the 123 Agreement would provide a comprehensive framework for peaceful nuclear cooperation with the Kingdom of Thailand, based on a mutual commitment to nuclear nonproliferation. The framework provides the opportunity for the transfer of nuclear material, equipment (including reactors), components, and information for nuclear research and civil nuclear energy production.
The 123 Agreement will enhance bilateral cooperation between the two countries on energy security and clean energy and further strengthen our longstanding diplomatic and economic relationships.
Nuclear energy offers a clean energy solution with a stable baseload of power providing affordable, long-term options for critically needed energy. The United States looks forward to developing a robust civil nuclear energy partnership with Thailand in the years to come.
The United States and Thailand have shared a nearly 200-year bilateral relationship – one of the longest and most robust in the Indo-Pacific region for the United States. The 1974 Civil Nuclear Cooperation Agreement between the U.S. and Thailand expired in June 2014, 40 years after entering into force. The United States is excited to re-establish this area of bilateral cooperation. In an age of increasing need for energy security and rapidly developing advanced clean energy technologies, this 123 Agreement is a part of U.S. efforts to deepen cooperation and support for Thailand’s energy security and net zero goals. The United States is dedicated to supporting the Kingdom of Thailand in its development of a civil nuclear energy program with the highest international standards of safety, security, and nonproliferation.
