United States and the Kingdom of Thailand have signed an Agreement for Cooperation Concerning Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy (123 Agreement). The Agreement was signed by US Ambassador to Thailand Robert F Godec and Thailand’s Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research, & Innovation (MHESI) Supamas Isarabhakdi.
Once in force, the 123 Agreement will provide a comprehensive framework for peaceful nuclear cooperation with Thailand, based on a mutual commitment to nuclear non-proliferation. 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 1974 Civil Nuclear Cooperation Agreement between the US and Thailand expired in June 2014, 40 years after entering into force. The United State said the 123 Agreement is a part of US efforts to deepen cooperation and support for Thailand’s energy security and net zero goals. The Agreement has a term of 30 years, although it can be terminated at any time by either party on 1 year’s advance written notice to the other party. The US insists that countries seeking to trade nuclear power goods and services must sign formal cooperation agreements. Such Section 123 Agreements relate to the relevant paragraph of the US 1954 Atomic Energy Act which requires them.
