Thai people have realized the benefits of science and technology for many centuries. In the ancient capital of Sukhothai, artisans possessed the technological skills necessary to produce fine glazed ceramics as well as superb bronze images of the Buddha. Moreover, engineers of the period constructed a number of sophisticated dikes to control water and prevent floods and also built an aqueduct to bring water from the mountains for the people of the city.
Other branches of technology came to Thailand during the Ayutthaya period, when relations were established with many Western countries. From there came knowledge in such fields as astronomy, ship building, gun powder production, and advanced concepts of metallurgy, The flood of new ideas continued in the Bangkok period with the introduction of steam engines, locomotives, and electricity. At the same time, Thais began to understand that without a proper knowledge of science, it was not possible to develop a useful and advanced technology.
Perhaps the first Thai to realize this crucial fact was King Mongkut (Rama IV). While in the monkhood before becoming king, he studied English, mathematics, and sciences, mastering astronomy to such an extent that he was later able to accurately predict the occurrence of a total eclipse at Wa Ko, a sub-district in Prachuab Khiri Khan province, on 18 August 1868. Therefore in 1982, the year in which the Bangkok Bicentennial was celebrated, the Thai government designated him as the ΓÇ£Father of Science in ThailandΓÇ¥. Thai scientists, in turn, have decided the date of 18 August as the Thai National Science Day, to honour him. On that day, government organizations, schools and universities in Thailand hold exhibitions, seminars, and present awards to the outstanding scientists of the year. Likewise, many royal projects applying science and technology created by His Majest King Bhumibol AdulyadejΓÇÖs wisdom, were demonstrated and implemented for the people, for example, the New theory of Agriculture, Royal Rain Project, Cultivation of Vetiver Grass for Control of Soil Erosion, etc. As a mark of respect, in 2001, the government designated him as the ΓÇ£Father of Thai TechnologyΓÇ¥, and declared the date of 19 October as ΓÇ£Thai Technology DayΓÇ¥.
At present, science, technology and innovation are increasing its roles in ThailandΓÇÖs social and economic sectors. Since Thailand possesses a limited number of natural resources, productivity improvement via suitable technologies is essential. However, domestic science and technology development has not supported production section sufficently due to insufficient science and technology, human resources, and low investment in research work oriented towards producing knowledge resource and applying to be appropriate technologies. As a result, Thai production sectors have continuously relied on imported technologies. Accordingly, the management of science and technology has been proactively reformed.
The roles of science and technology development in Thailand are in many organisations, both public and private sectors. The Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) previously called Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment, is officially assigned to be the core organisation undertaking and coordinating the development of the countryΓÇÖs science and technology. MOST was established on 24 March 1979. Some of its major roles are to lay out policies and plans to foster scientific and technological progress, enhance the increasing of knowledge resource, knowledge diffusion, and promote the use of science, technology and innovation for economic benefits, improvements of the quality of life and social well-being.
In the past, direction of scientific and technological development in Thailand was rather implicit. We might say that the 1949 Royal Thai Constitution was the first national science and technology policy in this country, and the role of science and technology was begun to emerge in the Fifth National Economic and Social Plan (1982-1986). However, in the year 2000, the Ministry of Science conducted the next 20 year National Vision and Strategy of Science and Technology (2000 ΓÇö2020)(S&T 2020) to be the countryΓÇÖs thinking framework, and to enhance the Thai society to understand the importance of science and technology for economic and social development. Some of S&T 2020 was later integrated to be a part of the Ninth National Economic and Social Development Plan.
The Ninth National Economic and Social Development Plan (2002-2006) assigned high priority to science and technology as a strategy for increasing production efficiency and being a foundation of the thai society to enter a knowledge-based economy.
The essence of the strategy in the Plan comprises:
- Enhancing the countryΓÇÖs capacity in technological innovation and know-how to increase productivity in agricultural and industrial sectors;
- Improving a system to accelerate the transfer of scientific knowledge and applied technologies to production sectors, and the general public. This included establishing an information network through the use of information and communication technology;
- Increasing research and development (R&D) expenditure by public and private sectors to not less than 0.4 per cent of GDP, or public sector support R&D expenditure to not less than 1.5 per cent of the annual budget. Support is emphasized on R&D application that improve production and enhance the quality of life;
- Increasing the number of researchers to not less than 3.5 persons per 10,000 populations.
- Enhancing the quality of science education and the increasing of students studying science and technology.
Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST)
Government Organization
- Office of the Minister- Office of the Permanent Secretary- Department of Science Service- Office of Atom for Peace
State Enterprises
- Thailand Institute of Science and Technology Research - National Science Museum
Public Organization
- Geo-Informatic and Space Technology Development Agency
Public Agency
- National Science and Technology Development Agency- National Institute of Metrology- National Synchrotron Research Center
Mission of MOST
To lay out policies and plans to develop and promote science and technology
National Science and Technology
Development Agency (NSTDA)
Established by the Science and Technology Development Act of 1991, the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA) carries out its mission to develop science and technology for the development of Thailand. In its work NSTDA has concentrated on the formulation of science and technology policy, the strengthening of in-house and public sector research, development and engineering (RD&E),the upgrading of private sector technological capability, the development of science and technology human resources, and the enhancement of science and technology infrastructure. NSTDA is also one of the main organizations responsible for accelerating Thailand to become a ΓÇÿknowledge-based societyΓÇÖ.
Formulation of Science and Technology Policy
The year 2000 was a very significant one for NSTDA in setting up the first long term S&T vision for the nation called ΓÇ£S&T 2020ΓÇ¥. In a series of interactive seminars, more than a thousand leading industrialists, academics, and policy makers were brought together to discuss the demand for science and technology and to give their expert opinions on how S&T should be developed to meet social, economic, and environmental objectives. The results obtained from S&T 2020 have been refined as an input to the Science and Technology Development in the Ninth National Economic and Social Development Plan (2002-2006)
At the national policy level, NSTDA has served as the office of the secretariat to the National Science and Technology Policy Committee (NSTC) which was set up under the Decree of the Prime MinisterΓÇÖs Office on 10 January 2001. NSTC comprises 33 members, with a Deputy Prime Minister designated by the Prime Minister as the Chairman, the Minister of Science and Technology as Vice Chairman, senior government officials and representatives from various concerned ministries and private agencies, and ten ΓÇÿwise menΓÇÖ as members. NSTC is entrusted with the following authorities: a) making policy recommendations to cabinet about S&T, involving coordination with line ministries and other related agencies in the public and private sectors; b) upgrading national capability in the real sectors, especially agriculture, industry, and service; c) recommending to cabinet about the measures to solve the problems related to research and development, S&T manpower development, technology transfer, and S&T infrastructure; d) evaluating the implementation of policies and plans and report to the cabinet; and e) recommending to cabinet a broad budget framework for scientific and technological development in the light of the national plan.
Another important S&T policy mechanism is the APEC Center for Technology Foresight which has been established in Thailand with NSTDA as the host organization, providing the director and staff of the center. This center develops and diffuses foresight capability across APEC through multi-economy studies, training, consultancy and related activities. In parallel, the Thai Foresight Unit has been set up specifically to work on foresighting of issues specific to Thailand.
Strengthening Research Development and Engineering Base
In the area of research, development and engineering, NSTDA funded public sector RD&E projects as well as conducted projects under the three in-house national research centers: National Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, National Metal and Material Technology Centre and National Electronics and Computer Technology Centre. In 2001, 128 research projects were completed, of which 45 cases were commercialized and 24 cases were commercially viable. Special research programmes have been launched in identified areas such as Biodiversity Research and Training, Thailand-Tropical Diseases Research, and Information Superhighway Testbed, which signal the future trend of research, that of a broadranged trans-disciplinary cooperation. The results of these projects were applied in various fields, leading to commercial applications, social benefits, and new knowledge. From a wider perspective, it is clear that through these projects NSTDA greatly contributed to the well-being of the nation in many ways, through increasing ΓÇÿvalue-addedΓÇÖ in the economy, improving the quality of life for the public, upgrading the environment and addressing the depletion of natural resources. Moreover, NSTDA published numerous articles, papers, and books for disseminating knowledge to the public, as well as organizing academic seminars for the purpose of exchanging knowledge among participants of different economic sectors.
Promoting National Technological Strength
For years, NSTDA has played an important role in supporting Thai industry by providing both technical and financial assistance to promote the upgrading of technology, to support the research and development of new products and processes, and to raise production standards for competitiveness and sustainable development. Its Department of Industrial and Techno-Business Development has delivered the Industrial Consultancy Service (ICS) which is now integrated into Industrial Technology Assistance Program (ITAP) and the Science and Technology Acquisition and Mastery Programme (STAMP). Industry support is also offered through Standards, Testing and Quality Control (STQC), the Intellectual Property Service (IPS), the Company Directed Technology Development Programme (CD) and through the work of the Research and Development Certification Committee (RDC).
Technical and financial assistance were provided to the private sector through a variety of services, among them consultancy services to 162 firms, technology transfer arrangements for 24 firms, funding for 34 private sector projects, support for quality systems for 21 firms, testing and analytical services for a total of 73,713 samples and information services for 12,363 requests. Apart from these activities the year 2001 also saw NSTDA file for 22 patent applications, as well as bring 45 projects through to commercialization, and invest in 14 technology-based joint venture companies.
NSTDA also supported the technology transfer to users in the private sector by finding technical experts to provide advice on issues such as improving manufacturing processes, reducing waste and investment costs, and creating new products. All these activities contributed to the goal of moving SMEs up the technological ladder to become more technologically intensive for long-term competition. In an evaluation of the technology transfer projects for 60 SMEs that received support from NSTDA, it was found that many of them were successful in producing higher quantity and quality products, improving management efficiency, and increasing knowledge to their workers. These benefits all contributed to the well-being of the nationΓÇÖs economy, through increased exports, job creation, higher foreign and local investments, and conservation of the countryΓÇÖs natural resources.
Human Resources Development
In the area of S&T human resource development, NSTDA undertook projects to improve both qualitative and quantitative aspects. NSTDA also offered various kinds of scholarships, many of which were provided in cooperation with other organizations. For instance, an important project carried over from the past fiscal year was the ΓÇÿScience-in-SchoolΓÇÖ project. This project focussed on upgrading the quality of teaching in science subjects for junior and senior high schools (grades 7-12), by using new technological innovations and new teaching techniques.
Support for the development of the countryΓÇÖs human resources in science and technology was highlighted by the establishment of the Thailand Graduate Institute of Science and Technology (TGIST) as a ΓÇ£virtual plusΓÇ¥ institute working through web pages. TGIST has been dedicated to the production of S&T manpower, using distance learning technologies as well as hands on cooperation between NSTDA researcher and university partners. TGIST and other programmes altogether provided local and overseas scholarships, research and postdoctoral fellowships, career awards, and training courses. The Reverse Brain Drain project attracted many Thai professionals from the United States, Canada, and Japan to take part in 14 projects of importance to the development of the country.
Creating Public Awareness of Science and Technology
NSTDA has promoted public awareness and utilization of science and technology through mass media, publications, exhibitions, multimedia, and other activities. NSTDA broadcast radio/ television documentaries, published more publications and many web pages, disseminated 90 weekly columns in popular daily newspapers and organized a public vote for ΓÇÿTop 10 S&T News 2001ΓÇÖ. In addition news and information on NSTDAΓÇÖs research and activities were brought to public visibility through a number of exhibitions and press conferences.
Currently, Public Understanding of Science, Technology and Innovation Project (PUSTI) is promoting public awareness in science and technology and also has been involved in various public understanding activities especially in running training courses and workshops for researchers and the public.
National Institute of Metrology
(Thailand) ΓÇö NIMT
Established by the National Metrological System Development Act of 1997, the former metrological works of the Department of Science Service and Thailand Institute of Scientific and Technological Research were transferred to NIMT. NIMT is a public agency under the Ministry of Science and TechnologyΓÇÖs supervision. The Board of National Metrology oversees the
InstituteΓÇÖs policies and regulations. The Institute has the main objectives as follows :
To develop the metrology system, provide and maintain national standards and standard reference materials of the country for all fields of measurement in accordance with the international metrology system including the dissemination of the national measurement standards.
To promote careers in metrology and strengthen capability of the calibration laboratories.
In order to develop the metrology systems in Thailand, the Master Plan on the National Metrology System Development for the next 10 years (1999-2008) has been formulated with five key plans.
1. Plan for policy formulation on metrology:
The objective is to formulate the appropriate laws, regulations and guidelines which are applicable to the rapidly changing technology and environment.
2. Plan for development of the organization:
The objective is to develop NIMT to be recognized internationally and to provide calibration services (in essential parameters) for the industry.
3. Plan for establishment and quality assurance of a calibration laboratory network:
The objective is to develop the dissemination mechanism, which consists of calibration laboratories and the accreditation system, to be efficient and sufficient for the industryΓÇÖs needs.
4. Plan for promotion of a favourable environment for development of the national metrology system :
The objective is to promote a favourable environment for the systemΓÇÖs development such as legal system, awareness of policy makers and human resources development.
5. Plan for user promotion and education:
The objective is to create user awareness of the importance of the national metrology system
National Science Museum (NSM)
The National Science Museum (NSM) is a state enterprise established in 1995 by Royal Decree. It operates under the umbrella of the Ministry of Science and Technology. NSM is a non-profit organization with the mission to enhance public awareness of science, technology and environment by developing a range of science museums. Four science museums will be located in Technopolis, Rangsit-Nakhorn Nayok Highway, Khlong 5, Khlong Luang, Pathum Thani Province. They are: Science Museum, Natural History Museum, Information Technology Museum and Environment and Ecology Museum. According to NSM long-term plan, the development will extend to the region and three regional museums will be formed each in Chieng Mai, Nakorn Ratchasima and Songkhla Province.
At present, the Science Museum is now open to the public. It was first the project to commemorate Her Majesty Queen SirikitΓÇÖs 60th Birthday and was opened in 2000. Its 10,000 square metre exhibition area displays more than 250 exhibits and models about science and technology in everyday life. The exhibition is designed to suit people of all ages. Its interactive concept introduces visitors a fun learning experience and aims to encourage a lifelong learning. Besides the exhibition, science educational activities, such as science demonstrations, science drama, science camps and science laboratory are also offered to visitors, providing an educational and entertaining attraction for families and children.
The Natural History Museum is the second one to be completed. Its valuable collections of rare specimens in natural science particularly from Thailand, will be preserved here as a reference for study and research. An astounding exhibition on the development of natural history of the world and in Thailand will be opened to the general public in 2003
