Abstract:
The purpose of this research is to study (1) perceptions of the people in Pathiew District on nuclear energy and/or nuclear power plant, (2) their knowledge on nuclear energy and/or nuclear power plant, (3) their attitude towards nuclear power plant, and (4) the public acceptance in using nuclear power plant in Thailand. The research comprises of quantitative and qualitative data from survey (397 samples) and depth interview (16 samples of local leaders). The survey data is analyzed by using SPSS for Windows (Version 7.52), where Pearson's Product Moment Correlation Coefficient, t-test and One Way Analysis of Variance are used to investigate correlation and differences between variables. Analytic induction is used to analyze views of the local leaders about a nuclear power plant in Thailand. The results of this research are as follows:- 1) Most people do not perceive much about the news on nuclear energy and/or nuclear power plant. Television is the most powerful media for them. 2) Most people know about nuclear energy and/or nuclear power plant at the moderate level. 3) Most people have negative attitude towards nuclear power plant. 4) Public acceptance in using nuclear power plant in Thailand is at moderate level while public acceptance in using this type of technology in Chumporn Province and Pathiew District is at lower level. 5) People of different sex, occupation and domicile have different attitude towards nuclear power plant. 6) Knowledge of the people on nuclear energy and/or nuclear power plant is positively correlated with their attitude towards nuclear power plant is positively correlated with their attitude towards nuclear power plant. 7) Public acceptance for a nuclear power plant in Thailand is not positively correlated with people's perception and knowledge but it is positively correlated with their attitude.