Thailand’s National Science and Technology Fair is the country’s largest annual science and technology exhibition. This year, it was held over nine days from August 9 to 17 at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center in Bangkok, attracting around 200,000 visitors, mainly local elementary, junior high, and high school students.

JIRCAS’s Southeast Asia Liaison Office, located in Bangkok, has been a regular exhibitor at the fair since 2007. Excluding two years during the COVID-19 pandemic, this marks its 17th appearance at the event.

The Japan Pavilion at the venue was coordinated by the Embassy of Japan in Thailand. In addition to JIRCAS, other Japanese academic and research institutions participated, including:

• The Cabinet Office of Japan
• Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)
• Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)
• Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST)
• Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS)
• Kyoto University – JASTIP (Japan-ASEAN Science, Technology and Innovation Platform)
• Tokyo University of Science
• Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology

JIRCAS presented the results of its international collaborative research on khanom jeen (a traditional Thai fermented rice noodle) and the “Khon Kaen 4” sugarcane variety promoted in Thailand. To communicate the research effectively, JIRCAS created new fold-out manga leaflets and provided actual samples of sugarcane and khanom jeen, which were well received by many visitors.

The opening ceremony was attended by Ms. Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol, Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research, and Innovation of Thailand. During the award ceremony, Prof. Dr. Supachai Pathumnakul, Permanent Secretary of the same ministry, presented JIRCAS with a trophy in recognition of its long-standing contributions to science and technology education.