The study, which will cost about 1.8 billion baht (54.5 million dollars), will include a survey of potential sites, developing safety regulations and a public education campaign, said Kopr Kritaykirana, an adviser to the project.

The research is being undertaken by the new Nuclear Power Program Development Office, which was officially opened by the energy ministry on Thursday, he said.

If the new government embraces the plan, construction of a nuclear power plant could begin by 2014, he said.

Nuclear power has recently gained support from Thailand's business and industrial interests, which see it as a reliable domestic source of energy.

Thailand imports most of its energy needs, leaving the country particularly vulnerable to shifts in energy prices.

Piyasvasti Amranand, the outgoing energy minister in a military-installed government, has enthusiastically promoted nuclear energy.

A new elected government is expected to take office next week.

Currently Thailand relies on natural gas for about two thirds of its electricity production. The rest comes mainly from coal and hydropower.

Demand is higher than Thailand's production capacity, forcing the kingdom to import electricity from neighbours like Laos and Malaysia.

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