The Kingdom of Thailand plans to have nuclear power plants in commercial operation in 2020 and 2021 and is intent on bringing up engineers with technical knowledge of NPP systems and operation. In connection with the early stages of these supposed plans, thirty trainees from EGAT (Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand) attended a one-week training program including both classroom sessions and simulator sessions at BTC Niigata Center in Japan from December 1^st through December 5^th, 2008.

　　　　　During the classroom training, trainees attended lectures about BWR-type plants (ABWR focus) which included: basic concepts, systems and equipment, control systems outline, normal operation, abnormal transient operation, Japanese nuclear laws and regulations, plant maintenance procedures, etc.  The training took place entirely in English, to which the trainees were all well accustomed.  The classroom was filled with enthusiastic people who strived to learn as much as possible.

　　　　　Due to the large number of trainees, during the simulator training trainees were divided into two or three groups. By taking turns experiencing start-up and shutdown processes during normal operation as well as during accidents, trainees were able to recognize the ease of operation and gain a further interest in BWR type nuclear power plants.  BTC instructors were often kept busy fielding multiple questions from the eager trainees.






　　　　Tours of the TEPCO Visitor Center, TEPCO Training Center, and Units 6 and 7 of the Nuclear Power Plant in Kashiwazaki-Kariwa were also included as part of the 5 day training. Observation of models and mock-up equipment in the training center as well as in the actual plant enhanced the effect of training and understanding. Warm support from Tokyo Electric Power Company during this program was highly appreciated.


On the last day, a mutual promise of continual friendship in the future between EGAT and BTC was made before saying good-bye.　BTC hopes that trainees from EGAT will continue to train at BTC in order to further their understanding of BWR and that an EGAT instructor of BWR will be born in the future.