Activities

At World Ballroom, Centara Grand & Bangkok Convention Centre, Prof. Dr. Somrerk Chandra-ambhorn, Vice President for Research and Information Technology Development of KMUTNB, together with Asst. Prof. Dr. Pornsak Srisungsitthisunti, Head of Centre of Railway System, attended the Rail Research and Technology Conference 2023 (RRTC2023) organized by the cooperation between the Rail Technology Research and Development Agency (Public Organization, Hub of Talents: Thailand Railway Research Network) Bangkok Expressway and Metro and KMUTNB under the theme “Industry – Academic Linkage” during 6 – 7 September 2023. This international conference is targeted to promote the exchange and dissemination of technological knowledge in the field of rail technology systems between the industrial sector and the education sector, with the purpose of fostering research and development initiatives that tackle the needs of the country’s industrial rail system development. The opening ceremony was presided over by Mr. Chayatan Phromsorn, Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Transport, and was also attended by Dr. Chotchai Charoenngam, Chairman of the Rail Technology Research and Development Agency, Ms. Sunee Lertpientham, an inspectorate of Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation.

Ministry of Transport has been committed to implement the policy on the development of country’s infrastructure in logistic industry and transportation service in accordance with the National Strategy (2017-2036). The emphasis is on the implementation of the strategy for developing the country’s Green & Safe Transport, Transport Efficiency, Inclusivity and Innovation & Management. This National Strategy is a framework for helping relevant parties to effectively implement the development of rail system, the connection of land, air and water transportation systems, which are very crucial for promoting the convenience and ecofriendliness of transportation, reducing the logistics costs, creating new economic opportunities, and sustainably increasing the competitive advantage of the country in railway industry. Consequently, the rail transport infrastructure should be more extensive to ensure the success in becoming the centre of regional logistics. Also, it is important to promote the research in railway technology that is applicable to the service provider, the private sector and the manufacturing sector.  Besides, the accreditation system, the testing system and the quality evaluation system are essential. The technology transfers from the education sector to the private sector should also be encouraged. In the meantime, the potential human resources have to be developed continually to meet the growth of railway industry in Thailand.   

Over 40 keynote speakers, panelists and speakers from both Thailand and other countries convened to exchange insights on railway technology at the conference which was also the biggest railway research networking event in Thailand and attracted more than 350 attendees. The topic of the conference ranged from Battery Train, Smart Railway Monitoring, High-Speed Rail Projects, Digital Railway & Transformation, Decarbonization, Railway Testing and Research Facilities, Rolling Stock Components, etc.