Thai Help Thai Phase 2 Extension and US-funded SMR Project

Matichon•Politics•1d ago

Reader Briefing

The Thai government considers extending the Thai Help Thai Plus program for two months while the US supports a study on SMR power plants in Thailand.

•Deputy Prime Minister Supajee Suthamphanthi indicated a two-month extension for the Thai Help Thai Plus Phase 2 project.
•The extension is discussed in response to geopolitical risks, including the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and rising oil prices.
•The US Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) signed an agreement with EGAT to fund a preliminary feasibility study for SMR power plants.
•The SMR agreement was signed on September 14 during the Gastech 2026 event.

•Deputy Prime Minister Supajee Suthamphanthi cited geopolitical risks and rising oil prices as reasons for extending the Thai Help Thai Plus Phase 2 project.
•Prime Minister requested Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Ekniti Nitithandprapas to consider extending the Thai Help Thai Plus project.
•Supajee Suthamphanthi stated that funds for the extension could come from either the annual budget or a loan decree.
•Supajee Suthamphanthi consulted with Ekniti Nitithandprapas, Pakorn Nilpanporn, and the Ministry of Energy on September 14 regarding oil price measures.
•The US Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) and the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) signed a funding agreement for an SMR power plant feasibility study on September 14.
•The SMR project agreement took place during the Gastech 2026 event.
•Thomas R. Hardy of USTDA stated the cooperation reflects US commitment to nuclear innovation and peaceful energy leadership.
•Narin Phaowanish of EGAT noted that SMR technology will help enhance the flexibility and security of Thailand's electricity grid.

Full article content is available on the original source.

Supajee Suthamphanthi(ศุภจี สุธรรมพันธุ์)

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce.

Ekniti Nitithandprapas(เอกนิติ นิติทัณฑ์ประภาศ)

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance.

Pakorn Nilpanporn(ปกรณ์ นิลประพันธ์)

Deputy Prime Minister.

Ekanat Promphan(เอกนัฏ พร้อมพันธุ์)

Minister of Energy.

Thomas R. Hardy

Deputy Director acting as Director of USTDA.

Narin Phaowanish(นรินทร์ เผ่าวณิช)

Governor of EGAT.

Thai Help Thai Plus(ไทยช่วยไทย พลัส)

An economic stimulus project currently in Phase 2.

Ministry of Commerce(กระทรวงพาณิชย์)ℹ️

The ministry responsible for handling rising oil price measures.

Ministry of Finance(กระทรวงการคลัง)ℹ️

The ministry involved in managing the funding for the Thai Help Thai Plus project.

Ministry of Energy(กระทรวงพลังงาน)ℹ️

The ministry involved in discussions regarding oil prices.

United States Trade and Development Agency(องค์การการค้าและการพัฒนาแห่งสหรัฐอเมริกา)ℹ️

A US agency providing funding for the SMR power plant feasibility study.

The US Trade and Development Agency.

Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand(การไฟฟ้าฝ่ายผลิตแห่งประเทศไทย)ℹ️

The Thai organization receiving funding to study SMR power plants.

EGAT(กฟผ.)ℹ️

The Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand.

Strait of Hormuz(ช่องแคบฮอร์มุซ)ℹ️

A location whose closure is cited as a geopolitical risk.