The excitation function for the radiative capture 232Th(p, 7) 233pa has been determined in the proton energy range 7 to 20 MeV by an activation method. The results are compared with a compound nucleus model prediction and earlier experimental data for another deformed nuclide 176yb. As in previous cases an enhancement over the CNmodel prediction is observed and the excitation of the giant dipole resonance via the direct-semidirect reaction process is a likely explanation. Supplementary measurements of the 232Th(p,J) excitation function in the proton energy range 11-20 MeV have been performed.