On 14 August 2022, Mr. Don Pramudwinai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs presided over the opening ceremony “National Science and Technology Fair 2022” under the concept of “Art, Science and Innovation for a Sustainable Society” to honour His Majesty King Mongkut (Rama IV), “Father of Thai Science” and His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great, “Father of Thai Technology and the Father of Thai Innovation”. In the ceremony, Adj.Prof. Dr. Anek Laothamatas, Minister of Higher Education Science Research and Innovation (MHESI), Prof. Sirirurg Songsivilai, M.D., PhD., Permanent Secretary of MHESI, Asst. Prof. Dr. Rawin Rawiwong, Director of the National Science Museum (NSM), the foreign ambassadors, the executives and representatives of government and private agencies were welcomed at Building 9-10, IMPACT Exhibition and Convention Centre, Muang Thong Thani.

The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs revealed that the world is currently facing constant challenges such as the spread of COVID-19, climate change, conflict in many corners of the world which has been affecting food security, energy and public health which these are one of the obstacles to the development of the country to be prosperity. Hence, the world needs reconciliation, cooperation and peace to provide us a time and environment that is conducive to all. Especially the young people who are the new generation will be able to fullest use their brains, two hands, and the power of creativity in science and technology. This is one of the factors that will help to build immunity for Thailand to be strong, self-sufficient, and reduce the impact of crises. These challenges enable us to clearly recognize the detriment of development that only focuses on economic growth and profit, the excessive use of natural resources. It is causing an imbalance between man and nature to develop the country. We need to strengthen our good attitudes, modify our mindset. In particular, in the business sectors, communities and the youths to be aware of the use of natural resources along with the development of science and technology. This year’s National Science and Technology Fair is an activity that will help to support learning through science learning activities to inspire children, youth and general people. On this occasion, I would like to thank all agencies, both the public and private sectors, both domestic and international that join our forces to build an inspiration to our Thai society which will create a scientific society. This will result in our country growing strong and sustainable. Furthermore, congratulations to the youth and science teachers who have received the Prime Minister’s Science Award 2022, which is an award for outstanding contributions in science and technology. This will be an example and inspire other youths to focus, develop their skills, creative thinking, and create new innovations that will be an important factor to driving Thailand forward.

The Minister of Higher Education Science Research and Innovation (MHESI) said that the 2022 National Science and Technology Fair will be held in two places; the National Science and Technology Fair at No.9 – 10 Building the Exhibition Center, IMPACT Muang Thong Thani on 13 – 21 August 2022 and NST Fair Science Carnival Bangkok under the theme of Science Carnival will be held at Sam Yan Mitr Town on 17-21 August 2022, in order to attract youth and the people who are interested. It is an idea that ​​ “brings science to the city” to spread scientific knowledge to all target groups and make it easy to reach the people inside Bangkok. The important goal is to make Thai people pay attention to science, and change their view that science can be fun, exciting, learning and tangible. We ought to emphasise on scientific creative thinking in technology and innovation combined with the art of driving and developing the “Creative Economy”. It is in line with the “BCG Model (Bio – Circular – Green Economy) policy, supporting the development of innovation related to the circular economy by joining with government agencies, the private sector, associations, foundations and foreign agencies that can jointly share and transfer the potential of science and technology to youth and the people that there are 136 agencies from 10 countries joining the fair. This year, the National Institute of Metrology (Thailand) (NIMT) presents the result of frontier research development on NIMT Quantum Technology in the field of Quantum Metrology & Sensing”. The Ytterbium ion optical clock that currently has been a success to incarcerate Single Ytterbium ions. Because of that, Thailand is the fourth country in the Asia-Pacific region for increasing the efficiency of Thailand’s time and frequency infrastructure and other measurement fields.

“Time” is one of the seven base physical quantities that are important to humans. The sequence of events before and after Or the timing of activities becomes the basis of daily life. As human activity increases, there is a need for more accurate timing in the same standard. In the early days, astronomers set standard times by observing and calculating astronomical phenomena. Later, physicists studied quantum mechanics and found that atomic energy levels were stable enough and can be used to determine the frequency of the clock. Therefore, the atomic clock was invented by cesium uses. When the atomic clock is more accurate, time becomes the basis of technology in our daily life.

Research and development of time and frequency infrastructure that produces from optical clocks becomes high importance to essential building to telecommunication systems (5G network), financial technology, and GNSS that there are users nationwide. Besides that, the optical clock is an important scientific tool to help Thai physic scientists to be able to study quantum systems and be a basis of quantum computers.

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International Relations Officers: Natthaphon Jarat and Ms.Thanakporn Nontachart.
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