The Thailand Science and Technology Expo is the country’s largest annual science and technology exhibition. This year, it was held for ten days from August 16 to 25 at the IMPACT Exhibition and Convention Center in Nonthaburi Province. Around 200,000 visitors—mainly local elementary, junior high, and high school students—attended the event.

The JIRCAS Southeast Asia Liaison Office in Bangkok has exhibited at the Expo every year since 2007, except for the two years when participation was suspended due to COVID-19.

The Japan Pavilion, coordinated by the Embassy of Japan in Thailand, featured exhibits from several Japanese organizations, including the National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT), Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS), Kyoto University/Japan–ASEAN Science, Technology and Innovation Platform (JASTIP), Tokyo Institute of Technology, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Chulalongkorn University, the International Origami Plane Association, and the Cabinet Office, in addition to JIRCAS.

Following on from last year, JIRCAS presented the results of its collaborative research with Kasetsart University’s Institute of Food Research on khanom chin, a traditional Thai fermented food. A picture book about khanom chin created by JIRCAS and written in Thai was very well received by visitors. Many students also used their smartphones to scan QR codes and read more about khanom chin.

The opening ceremony was attended by Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research, and Innovation Supamas Isarabhakdi, and during the award ceremony, Permanent Secretary Permsuk Sutchaphiwat presented JIRCAS with a trophy in recognition of its contributions to science and technology education.