During 25-27 June 2024, in Beijing, China, representatives of GISTDA joined the trip to visit varied space technology partners in PRC. The visit led by Assoc. Dr. Weerapong Pairsuwan, Executive Chairman, Program Management Unit for Human Resources & Institutional Development, Research, and Innovation (PMU-B), the granting agency under Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research, and Innovation (MHESI), followed by the group of delegations from MHESI agencies, aiming to enhance space cooperation, as well as, strengthen science & technology people-to-people exchange program between China-Thailand.  

Through the 2-day visits, high-level delegates from MHESI agencies including, PMU-B, GISTDA, National Higher Education Science Research and Innovation Policy Council (NXPO), Thailand Science Research and Innovation (TSRI), and Mahanakorn University of Technology (MUT), had fruitfully discussed with various Chinese strategic partners such as, China Science and Technology Exchange Center (CSTEC), the expert agency in international S&T exchanges, Galaxy Space Communication Technology Co Ltd., among the most successful company on space technology/satellite business in China, and Beihang University, one of the best university in the world in the field of aerospace engineering. The visit also reached potential joint space cooperation between China-Thailand on satellite development (especially the Synthetic Aperture Radar, SAR satellite), the capacity development on SAR applications & data, space & moon exploration project (Change’8), R & D on space safety and security, international double degree program on space technology & aerospace, the participations in Thailand Space Week 2024 event, as well as, the requirements to promote/improve space industry investment in Thailand (through National Space Act).

On this occasion, GISTDA delegate, Mr. Phee Choosri, Deputy Executive Director of GISTDA, also made this trip even worthwhile for space industry of both countries, by calling the courtesy visit to Aerospace Information Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Science (CAS-AIR). GISTDA and AIR are long strategic partners more than 15 years, and right now, both sides are jointly establishing the satellite ground station in Thailand to receive Chinese satellite data (also possibly SAR data in the future). The 10-year project is expected to create tremendous values for the region.

China is one of the most important partners on science, technology, and innovation development of Thailand. This visit will not only maintain the good relationship between China-Thailand scientific/academic agencies but also pave the way to elevate both countries’ strategic cooperation to the next level.