The award was given to Thailand for its role in eliminating and ensuring there was no highly enriched uranium in the country. He said Thailand received the award along with 17 other countries including Brazil, Chile, Denmark, South Korea, and two other Asean states – Vietnam and the Philippines.

The award showed Thailand’s commitment and obligation to the global community, Werachon quoted Prayut as saying.

The Nuclear Industry Summit, held from Wednesday until yesterday, was organised by the private sector, as a parallel event to the Nuclear Security Summit. It drew more than 400 representatives from leading companies in nuclear materials and technology, as well as leaders and representatives of 52 countries and international bodies such as the United Nations, the International Atomic Energy Agency and Interpol.

Prayut‘s participation in the fourth Nuclear Security Summit underscored Thailand’s intent to join with national leaders worldwide to promote nuclear security, in a bid to ensure that the world is safe from nuclear and radioactive materials, and that they remain out of the reach of would-be attackers, Werachon said.

Uranium is a chemical element with natural radioactivity, which occurs in very low concentration in soil, rock, water, vegetation, animals, and human beings, he explained.

Uranium, generally in the form of enriched uranium, is mostly used in the civilian sector to fuel nuclear power plants. Currently, the US military uses uranium as a source of kinetic energy for the purpose of piercing armour, he said.

While in Washington, Prayut also met with Thai nationals who worked with the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.

The PM told them his government was monitoring the world’s economic situation closely in order to prepare for the future and strengthen the economy.

He also talked about the Pracha Rath policy, moves between the state and private sector to get cooperation from all sectors, plus civil society, for national development, Werachon said.

Thai staff at the IMF told the prime minister that they agreed with the government’s economic policy to stimulate growth in the short term, as well as the long-term strategy for the country’s development over 20 years, the deputy spokesman said.

Meanwhile, Thais at the World Bank said the country faced some challenges including economic productivity, education, bureaucratic efficiency, the ageing society, human resources and the environment. Thailand had to have sustainable growth and improve competitiveness, they suggested.