NSTDA and Chinese Arctic and Antarctic Administration, the State Oceanic Administration extended their cooperation on polar sciences. HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn graciously presided over the ceremony to celebrate the MOU extension and the opening of Sirindhorn China-Thailand Joint Laboratory on
Antarctic Research held at the Chinese Ministry of Natural Resources on 4 April 2019. Located at China’s Great Wall Station in Antarctica, the joint laboratory is presented to Princess Sirindhorn by the Chinese Government as a research base for Thai scientists during their expedition.
NSTDA and the State Oceanic Administration embarked on the polar sciences cooperation with the first MOU signed in 2013. With this renewal, the cooperation is extended to April 2024. The topics of polar sciences cover in the cooperation include climate change, biotechnology and space weather. The cooperative activities consist of the exchange of information and researchers, the support of Thai scientists joining the Chinese Antarctic Research Expedition, and the conservation of pristine environment of the Antarctic region. For the expedition, NSTDA has coordinated with Thai academic and research institutes in recruiting Thai scientists and coordinating with the Chinese counterpart.
In 2019, Mr. Pongpichit Chuanraksasat from the National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand (NARIT) will be joining the expedition. He will study the impact of cosmic rays on Earth employing the equipment developed by Thai scientist team called Changvan, a neutron detector.