News Year 2026

Thailand’s manufacturing sector is advancing towards a more competitive and sustainable future through a practical digital transformation initiative designed to help industry turn technology adoption into measurable business results.

NSTDA continues to strengthen the practical application of research through international knowledge exchange on intellectual property management and technology transfer. Through its Technology Licensing Office, NSTDA hosted a special seminar on “IP Portfolio Management” featuring Dr. Alison Campbell, Chief Executive Officer of the UK’s Government Office for Technology Transfer (GOTT), to share global perspectives on how public research organisations can manage intellectual property more strategically to maximise research value and impact.

EnPAT: Safe Transformer Oil from Thai Oil Palm, developed by the National Energy Technology Center (ENTEC) under NSTDA, has received three awards at the 12th International Exhibition of Inventions (IEI 2026) in Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China. The achievement reflects the strength of Thai research in transforming domestic biological resources into high-value energy innovations with international recognition.

The National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), through the National Nanotechnology Center (NANOTEC), and the Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine (DTAM) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to advance Thai herbal medicines and traditional formulations through science, technology and innovation.

Canberra and Melbourne, Australia – 19-20 August 2026 – The National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA) has advanced its strategic research, development and innovation partnership with Australia’s Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) through the signing of a Letter of Intent (LOI) and a series of high-level discussions aimed at expanding collaboration in priority fields of mutual interest.

18 August 2026 – The National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA) has expanded the Food and Functional Ingredients Service Platform (FoodSERP) with the launch of three new services—PxSERP, FlavorSERP and PetSERP—under the theme “Wellness for All: Better Living for People and Pets.” The expansion is intended to support Thai SMEs in developing higher-value products for the growing human and pet health markets, while reinforcing Thailand’s transition toward an innovation-driven economy.

As demand for clean energy grows, land use is becoming an increasingly important issue, especially in agricultural economies such as Thailand where large areas are needed for food production. Agrivoltaics, also known as solar sharing, offers a practical approach by allowing crops and solar power generation to coexist on the same land.

Thailand’s flagship smart city management platform, Traffy Fondue—developed by the National Electronics and Computer Technology Center (NECTEC) under the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA)—has successfully evolved from a local urban reporting app into a nationwide, data-driven public administration ecosystem.

Thailand Science Park has officially launched the TSP Scale X Landing Program, a new strategic initiative aimed at creating stronger growth pathways for both Thai and international startups through an integrated innovation ecosystem.

Thailand’s National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), under the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, has joined with the Board of Investment (BOI) to reinforce investment and tax incentives aimed at accelerating the transition of Thai manufacturers toward Industry 4.0. The collaboration reflects a shared effort to strengthen industrial competitiveness through technology adoption, automation, digitalization, and innovation-led investment.

Over the past decade, low carbon development and carbon neutrality have evolved from environmental goals into important economic drivers shaping trade, investment, and national competitiveness. As Thailand moves toward a low-carbon economy, NSTDA is accelerating the development of knowledge, technology, and innovation to support this transition—from fundamental research and deep technology to practical applications in industry and society.

The National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), through the National Electronics and Computer Technology Centre (NECTEC), has advanced a research based screening technology for latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI), supporting faster and more accessible disease surveillance in Thailand.

The National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC), NSTDA, organized the 1st Thailand Streptococcus suis Seminar 2026 under the theme “One Health Streptococcus suis: From Research to Preventive Approaches for Public and Animal Health Safety.” The event provided a platform for researchers, public health professionals, veterinarians, and policymakers to exchange knowledge on the epidemiology, antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and genomic epidemiology of Streptococcus suis.

Thai durian, known as the “King of Fruits,” is a major export commodity, but growers continue to face challenges including immature fruit, plant diseases, insect pests, rising production costs, and stricter traceability requirements in international markets. To address these issues, the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA) has integrated the expertise of its four national research centers—NANOTEC, NECTEC, MTEC, and BIOTEC—to develop innovations that strengthen Thai durian production across the entire supply chain.

The National Nanotechnology Center (NANOTEC), under the National Science and Technology Development Agency, led by Dr. Uracha Ruktanonchai, Executive Director of NANOTEC, together with Ms. Sansanee Huabsomboon, Deputy Executive Director of NANOTEC, and Dr. Komsan Sutthisinthong, Researcher, joined in welcoming Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn at the opening ceremony of the “Co-Creation Space” research building of Thai-China Flavours and Fragrances Co., Ltd. (TCFF) in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province.

Pathum Thani, Thailand | 8 July 2026 – Thailand’s Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI), through the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA) and its National Nanotechnology Center (NANOTEC), reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening international scientific collaboration by leading a high-level delegation from the SKKU Advanced Institute of Nanotechnology (SKKU-SAINT), Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU), Republic of Korea, on a courtesy visit to Professor Dr. Yodchanan Wongsawat, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation.

The National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), through the National Energy Technology Center (ENTEC), highlighted Thailand’s research and innovation capabilities in support of the country’s clean energy transition at ASIA Sustainable Energy Week 2026 (ASEW 2026), held at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center from 1–3 July 2026.

Lindau, Federal Republic of Germany, 28 June 2026 — Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn graciously presented the opening ceremony of the 75th Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting, held this year under the theme of Interdisciplinary Sciences, in Lindau, Federal Republic of Germany.

The National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), through the National Nanotechnology Centre (NANOTEC), has developed Turrica, a wound care product for canine based on Thai herbal extracts and nanotechnology. The innovation was designed to provide a gentler and more effective option for managing wounds and skin problems in companion animals, while adding value to Thai herbal resources through research and technology development.

The National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA) has taken a significant step toward strengthening Thailand’s capabilities in photonics through a new international engagement with Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Belgium. On 19 June 2026, NSTDA joined a visit to the Photonics Innovation Center at VUB, one of Europe’s leading hubs for photonics technology development, as part of a Thai delegation led by Professor Dr. Yodchanan Wongsawat, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI), to explore future collaboration in research, innovation, and human resource development.

On 24 June 2026, Dr. Piyawut Srichaikul, Deputy Executive Director of the National Electronics and Computer Technology Center (NECTEC), welcomed a regional delegation participating in the AI Visionaries Program – Strategy & Governance Master Class 2026, an international programme for policymakers and regulators from across the Asia-Pacific region, including Bangladesh, Bhutan, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Maldives, the Philippines, Timor-Leste, and Viet Nam.

Bangkok, 4 June 2026 — The National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA) reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening Thailand’s food innovation ecosystem by showcasing the capabilities of Thai food tech startups at THAIFEX-ANUGA 2026 through the Food Tech Startup Zone, managed by Food Innopolis, one of NSTDA’s key programs.

The IASP Asia Pacific Event “CHIANG MAI 2026” opened on 3 June 2026 at the Meliá Chiang Mai Hotel in Chiang Mai, Thailand, with Prof. Dr. Sukit Limpijumnong, President of the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), attending the opening ceremony.

The National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), led by Prof. Dr. Sukit Limpijumnong, President of NSTDA, and Dr. Uracha Ruktanonchai, Executive Director of the National Nanotechnology Center (NANOTEC), participated in the EARTO Executive Board Members & RIN CEOs Meeting on 9 June 2026 in Leuven, Belgium.

Xiamen, China, 27–29 May 2026 – The National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), led by Prof. Sukit Limpijumnong, President of NSTDA, reinforced Thailand’s role in international science, technology, and innovation cooperation through its participation in activities held at the China-BRICS Science and Innovation Incubation Park for the New Era (China-BRICS SIIP) in Xiamen, Fujian Province, People’s Republic of China.

Xiamen, Fujian Province, People’s Republic of China, 28 May 2026 — Professor Dr. Sukit Limpijumnong, President of the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), together with NSTDA executives, paid a courtesy call on H.E. Ms. Sasarak Sasivanij, Consul-General of Thailand in Xiamen, Fujian Province, People’s Republic of China, to exchange views and explore opportunities to further enhance cooperation in research, development, and innovation between Thailand and China, particularly with southeastern China.

NSTDA through the National Metal and Materials Technology Center (MTEC), has developed a new soft material for 3D printing to create realistic organ models for medical training in Thailand. The innovation is designed to help improve procedural accuracy, reduce medical errors, and lower the risk of complications, particularly for complex procedures that require a high level of surgical skill.

The NSTDA, through its National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC), has developed a biological innovation for fruit fly control to help reduce chemical use in orchards and support safer, higher-value fruit production in Thailand. The technology was presented in Ratchaburi as a practical alternative for growers seeking more sustainable pest management solutions.

May 22, 2026 — Prof. Dr. Sukit Limpijumnong, President of the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), alongside the executive team from the National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC) warmly welcomed Dr. FAN Yingjie, Director of the Bureau of International Cooperation at the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC).

On 12 May 2026, at the Asian Development Bank (ADB) Thailand, Professor Dr. Sukit Limpijumnong, President of the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), joined the opening session of the 2026 Country Operations Mission (COM) to exchange strategic perspectives on Thailand’s development direction under the 2026–2029 cooperation framework. Mr. Aaron Batten, Country Director of ADB for Thailand, welcomed participants to the meeting.

On 15 May 2026, the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), located at Thailand Science Park, Pathum Thani, welcomed Professor Dr. Yodchanan Wongsawat, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI).

Thailand proudly celebrates the success of two Thai youth teams whose scientific ideas, “Harmonics” and “Liquid Bridges” were selected for real microgravity experimentation under the Asian Try Zero‑G 2025 Project, organized by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).

Every April, Thailand faces its most critical period of extreme heat, driving electricity consumption to annual peaks as homes, commercial buildings, and factories rely heavily on air‑conditioning.

Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn graciously presided over the opening ceremony of the 21st NSTDA Annual Conference (NAC2026) on April 24, 2026, at Thailand Science Park.

On April 28, 2026, Thailand Science Park (TSP) under the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Cyberport, Hong Kong’s leading digital technology incubator.

On 2 April 2026, the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), in collaboration with the Beijing International Exchange Association (BIEA), officially launched the “SUSONG Cup: The 4th Future Industrial Technology Innovation Competition” in Thailand.

On 20 March 2026 at the Mandarin Hotel Bangkok, the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI), through the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA) and its NECTEC center, together with the Thai Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Technology and Innovation in Life Sciences National Agency (Public Organization) (TILSNA), and the Radiological Society of Thailand (RST), hosted the event “AISaMD Demo Day: The First Step for Thai AI-based Medical Devices Toward Global Standards.”

The National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), through the National Electronics and Computer Technology Center (NECTEC), joined forces with nine leading Thai organizations to sign a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). This partnership officially adopts the ASEAN AI Transition Innovation Framework (AITIF) to accelerate AI integration across Thai industries with an emphasis on ethics, sustainability, and international standards.

Rice cultivation that keeps fields continuously flooded is a major source of methane emissions, one of the most potent greenhouse gases contributing to global warming. Because methane has a significantly stronger warming effect than carbon dioxide, improving water management in rice farming has become an important pathway for reducing agricultural emissions. 

The National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), under the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI), led a delegation of young Thai inventors to participate in and exhibit their innovations at “The 51st International Exhibition of Inventions Geneva,” held from 11–15 March 2026 in Geneva, Switzerland.

On 6 March 2026, in recognition of International Women’s Day, the Bangkok Post announced the recipients of the “Women of the Year 2026” awards, celebrating women who exemplify leadership, innovation, and social impact.

In the global race for Artificial Intelligence dominance, the focus has shifted from simple apps to Foundation Models—massive AI systems that serve as the "brain" for countless specialized tools.

The National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), through its National Energy Technology Centre (ENTEC), in partnership with the Thailand Energy Storage Technology Association (TESTA) and the ASEAN Secretariat, convened the “Capacity Building Workshop on Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) for Clean Energy Project Developers in ASEAN” at Pullman Bangkok King Power. The workshop was supported by EU - ASEAN cooperation through the Technical Assistance Facility to the Green Team Europe Initiative (TAF-GTEI).

National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), under the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI), signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Thailand’s Department of Disease Control (DDC) under the Ministry of Public Health to integrate advanced science, technology, and innovation into public health operations aiming to build one of the region’s most accurate and modern disease surveillance systems.

Thailand’s Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI), through the Thailand Institute of Life Sciences and the National Innovation Agency (NIA), together with the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), led a delegation to WHX Dubai 2026 (World Health Expo, formerly Arab Health) to promote Thai medical and health innovations and strengthen Thailand’s positioning as a Global Medical Innovation Hub while expanding market and partnership opportunities in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).

LANTA operates on a cutting-edge Heterogeneous HPE Cray EX system, delivering a peak performance of 8.15 petaflops. The robust architecture comprises 346 compute nodes, 31,744 CPU cores, and 704 NVIDIA A100 GPUs. This immense computational power is supported by a 200 Gbps HPE Slingshot network and a 10-petabyte parallel storage system, making it highly optimized for AI training, massive data analytics, and complex parallel processing.

Cat litter plays a vital role in the quality of life for both pets and their owners. Today, the development of these products goes beyond hygiene and convenience; it is increasingly tied to the optimal use of natural resources. By supporting the circular economy and reducing environmental pollution, everyday pet care is becoming a driver of sustainability.

A Thai research project developing antibody-delivering nanoparticle technology for dengue treatment has been selected under UNESCO’s International Decade of Sciences for Sustainable Development (IDSSD), reinforcing Thailand’s role in advancing science-driven solutions to global health challenges while strengthening national health security.

Tokyo, Japan – 28 January 2026, The National Nanotechnology Center (NANOTEC), under the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI), in collaboration with SPIKE ARCHITECTONICS Co., Ltd., an NSTDA deep-tech startup, and Japanese partner Furutaka Electronics Co., Ltd., officially launched the “Microspike Technology Pavilion” at nano tech 2026, the 25th International Nanotechnology Exhibition and Conference held at Tokyo Big Sight.

While digital tools like AI and IoT sensors are becoming more common in global agriculture, they often operate in silos, preventing farmers from seeing the "big picture." To solve this fragmentation, Thailand’s National Electronics and Computer Technology Center (NECTEC), National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA) have developed AgriNEXT—an integrated platform designed to turn raw data into actionable intelligence.

SINGAPORE — Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn of Thailand attended the opening ceremony of the Global Young Scientists Summit 2026 (GYSS 2026) on January 6th, held at the National University of Singapore. Her presence underscores Thailand’s long-standing commitment to fostering international scientific collaboration and empowering youth in STEM fields.

The global shrimp aquaculture industry faces a silent but devastating enemy: Enterocytozoon hepatopenaei (EHP). This microsporidian parasite, which causes Hepatopancreatic Microsporidiosis, is notorious for causing stunted growth and chronic mortality in Black Tiger and Pacific White shrimp. In Thailand alone, EHP is estimated to drain between $180 million and $240 million USD (6–8 billion THB) from the economy annually.

Public safety and environmental sustainability are taking center stage in Thailand’s energy sector with the introduction of EnPAT, an innovative bio-based transformer oil developed from domestic palm oil.

The National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), through the National Metal and Materials Technology Center (MTEC), has developed a process to convert dolomite powder, a byproduct of mineral processing, into an alternative cementitious material for use in mortar and concrete.

The National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), through the National Electronics and Computer Technology Center (NECTEC), has introduced an automated low blood volume anemia screening system designed to support large-scale screening of Thai children, particularly in schools and primary healthcare units.

In a significant leap for agricultural technology, the National Nanotechnology Center (NANOTEC) of the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA) has introduced NANO nCote, a pioneering Controlled Release Fertilizer (CRF) designed to revolutionize how farmers nourish their crops.

On 2^nd February 2025, researchers from the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA) received a total of 33 National Research Awards at Thailand Inventors’ Day 2025, held at BITEC Bangna, Bangkok. The event is organized annually by the National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT) under the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI).