The Thai team, ‘Syntax Waiyakorn’, has won the championship at the 6th Kibo Robot Programming Challenge and will represent Thailand at the international competition in Japan in February 2026.
The award ceremony was hosted by the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA) and took place at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center on August 29, 2025. This event was a collaboration between the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI), the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA), and the International Institute of Space Technology for Economic Development (INSTED).
The competition challenged students to write computer programs to control the Astrobee robot, a robotic assistant that operates on the International Space Station (ISS). The mission was to program Astrobee to find hidden treasures on the ISS. The national round was hosted by the NSTDA in June 2025 and saw 208 teams participate from all over Thailand. This was the highest number of participants among all the countries that hosted the event, showcasing the great potential of Thai youth in science, technology, and programming.
Dr. Chularat Tanprasert, the NSTDA Deputy Executive Director, expressed her pride in the project, noting that it not only helps students develop technical skills in mathematics, physics, and programming but also encourages 21st-century skills such as critical thinking and teamwork.
Competition Results
National Champion: The Syntax Waiyakorn team won the national championship. The team members are Jirayu Thongchotchuang, Parama Wattanakrai, Thanakorn Bunyasena, and Thanat Thongwanich, students from King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang, Kasetsart University, and Mahidol University. They also received a special prize of a Japanese language course from Jeducation and souvenirs from JAXA and INSTED.
The team will represent Thailand at the international competition in Japan, competing against teams from 11 other countries, including Australia, Indonesia, Japan, and the United States. The international championship will be held at the Tsukuba Space Center in February 2026. Participants will have the rare chance to meet Japanese astronauts and gain valuable experience at the center, which is the main operational base for Japan’s space projects and astronaut training.
1st Runner-Up: The KidMaiOK team from Chulalongkorn University.
2nd Runner-Up: The Ma len tae ao jing team from King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi and Chulalongkorn University.
Best Presentation Award: The SENSUAY team from Thammasat University and the Robota team from Prince Royal’s College.
For more information and to support the Thai team, please visit the NSTDA SPACE Education Facebook page.
