Ms. Rugkanawan Wongpithayadisai – Outstanding Woman in International Networks, Public Sector Category Recipient of the Honorary Award on the Occasion of International Women’s Day 2025

On March 8, 2025, the National Institute of Metrology (Thailand) (NIMT), under the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI), extended its congratulations to Ms. Rugkanawan Wongpithayadisai, Head of the Hardness Laboratory in the Mechanical Metrology Department, for her distinguished professional accomplishments. Additionally, she has served as Deputy Quality Manager of NIMT and has actively engaged in international metrology initiatives since 2015. Through her steadfast dedication and expertise, she has earned recognition from prominent metrology institutions across the Asia-Pacific region, culminating in her appointment as Chair of the Technical Committee for Quality Systems (TCQS) within the Asia Pacific Metrology Programme (APMP).

This appointment holds considerable significance, as it represents a pivotal role in fortifying and advancing the quality management systems in metrology across the Asia-Pacific region. In her capacity as Chair, Ms. Rugkanawan has been instrumental in fostering confidence in metrological quality assurance, thereby reinforcing global recognition of the region’s measurement capabilities.

Award Ceremony of International Women’s Day 2025

The establishment of confidence in metrology quality systems is a fundamental pillar in ensuring the global acceptance of measurement capabilities, which in turn, constitutes a critical component of a national quality infrastructure. A robust metrology system serves as a catalyst for the development of products that meet higher standards, enhance consumer safety, bolster competitiveness in the global market, and ultimately contribute to economic prosperity and good quality of life.

Ms. Rugkanawan is a distinguished woman who has engaged in international metrology networks. Her professional excellence and strong interpersonal presence have earned the admiration of colleagues worldwide, making her a role model for Thai women. Her selection as APMP TCQS Chair, along with other key international roles, is a testament to her outstanding capabilities, recognized not only in Thailand but also on the global stage.

Beyond her professional endeavors, she has consistently sought to promote and preserve Thai cultural heritage on the global stage. Her efforts include incorporating traditional Thai greetings, using Thai language in international forums, and donning traditional Thai attire on appropriate occasions – initiatives that have been met with admiration and appreciation from the international community.

The 8th March is recognized globally as International Women’s Day. In Thailand, the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, through the Department of Women’s Affairs and Family Development, organizes an annual selection of outstanding women, individuals, and organizations to honor their contributions to society and the nation. This year, under the theme “Three Decades of the Beijing Declaration: Opportunities and Challenges for Gender Equality for Women and Girls,” the National Institute of Metrology is proud to support the role of Thai female metrologist.

This year’s distinguished recipient of the Outstanding Woman in International Networks (Public Sector Category) award is Ms. Rugkanawan Wongpithayadisai. This prestigious honor recognizes her dedication, achievements, and contributions to the society and the nation. The award ceremony was held at Pakorn Angsusingh Meeting Room, 2nd Floor, Department of Social Development and Welfare Building, the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, Bangkok.

On 26 February 2025, Pol.Lt.Gen. Pornchai Suteerakune, Director of NIMT, together with Mr. Anusorn Tonmuenwai, Deputy Director, Head of Mechanical Metrology Department, Group Leaders and metrologists welcomed Professor Dr. Chalermchon Satirapod, Head of the Department of Survey Engineering, Chulalongkorn University, and expert team in geodesic instruments from Australia, Japan, Singapore and Taiwan to discuss the calibration of geodesic instruments and visit NIMT’s laboratories. The event was held at Phadungmat Building and Railway System Development Building, Klong 5, Pathumthani Province.

Mrs. Natenapit Khumthukthit, Group Leader, together with Fs.1 Voraphol Phapukdee, Senior Professional Metrologist from the Group of Direct Current, Low Frequency, High Frequency and Electromagnetics Fields, Electrical Metrology Department, participated in APMP Key Comparison on DC Resistance held on 15-24 February 2025 at Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science (KRISS).

This key comparison has initiated by APMP members since 2023, aiming to ensure the measurement procedure and its comparison results compliance with CIPM-MRA and APMP requirements. By participating this program, NIMT has successfully developed their measurement and technical capabilities in the filed of DC Resistance.

In the meantime, Mrs. Natenapit and Fs.1 Voraphol also discussed the possibility of the collaborative research project on the study and assessment of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, a future scheme initiated by NIMT to support the worldwide expanding of electric cars as well as to enhance the reliability of traceable measurement of EV infrastructure in Thailand.

Dr. Kanjana Hongthong and Miss Nusara Yinyom, metrologists from NIMT, recently participated in the ESI-QTOF Essential Operator Training Course (Preteomics) on 11-16 January 2025 in Germany.
This training aimed to enhance their knowledge and skills in Ultra-high resolution Quadrapole Time-of-Flight Mass spectrometer (UHR Q-TOF MS) technology, with a main focus on its application in proteomics. The knowledge gained from the training will be applied to the studies of peptide, protein purity, and particularly PROTAC (Proteolysis Targeting Chimera) quantification-an emerging technology utilized to destruct intracellular proteins. The PROTAC molecules work by binding to the target proteins and degrading malfunctional proteins. This is significantly beneficial to the drug development and therapeutics.

By participating this event, NIMT metrologists intent to contribute their knowledge to the advancement of measurement technologies in proteomics, furthering collaborative research project in biomedical sciences and attending measurement comparison program.

Dr. Charun Yafa, Assistant Director of NIMT, was invited as a consultant to conduct the final PT Scheme Evaluation Workshop held by SNSU-BSN in Indonesia during 15-16 January 2025. This program was the collaboration between NIMT and PTB under the project on “Strengthening Quality Infrastructure Services for Environmental and Climate Monitoring, Indonesia”. It aimed to conclude the evaluation of the Proficiency Testing (PT) Scheme for quality infrastructure in environmental and climate monitoring.

During the visit, Dr. Charun shared valuable experience and best practices in the assessment of PT schemes, identification of areas for improvement, and strategies for implementing quality control measures. His consultancy made an important contribution to the project progress.

The PTB Cooperation Project similarly marks a significant milestone of strengthening Indonesia’s capacity building and quality infrastructure, ensuring compliance with international standards, and supporting sustainable environmental monitoring practices.

On 13 January 2025, Mr. Thepbodin BORIRAK-ARAWIN was invited as a technical expert for HOKLAS (the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region – Standards and Calibration Laboratory) in the assessment of Magnetic Laboratory. As a representative from NIMT, he provided insights and expertise in assessing the laboratory’s compliance with international standards as well as the guidance to enhance technical competence and measurement capabilities.  His contribution was significant in maintaining the standard required by HOKLAS accreditation and bolstering the metrological traceability to the International System of Units (SI).

Dr. Pariyakorn Petkaew, metrologist from the Acoustics and Vibration Group, attended the Guest Scientist Programme hosted by Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB), Germany from 21 September to 19 December 2024.

At PTB, Dr. Pariyakorn participated in the training and conducted a research project on “Developing traceability system for earthquake monitoring stations in Thailand” which aimed to improve traceability and measurement accuracy of earthquake monitoring systems in Thailand. Her work has made a significant contribution to the country’s measurement capabilities and the management of efficient seismic monitoring systems.

Mr. Likit Sainoo, Senior Professional Metrologist from the Fluid Mechanics Group of the Mechanical Metrology Department visited the Republic of Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan during 8-21 December 2024 to participate as a short-term expert in the PTB Collaborative Projects, “Increasing the Use of Quality-Related Services in Kyrgyzstan” and “Supporting the Reform of the National Quality Infrastructure in Uzbekistan”.

The Project aimed to support all related activities of the inter-laboratory comparison in pressure between NIMT, Kyrgyz National Metrology Institute (CSM) and Uzbek National Metrology Institute (UzNIM) and to enhance the collaborative commitment of NMIs for the development of national quality infrastructure, technical capabilities, and quality management system.

On 19 December 2024, Mr. Wirun Laopornpichayanuwat, Head of Mechanical Metrology Department welcomed Dr. Hitoki Yoneda, Professor from the University of Electro-Communications (UEC), Japan and his Doctoral students from UEC Graduate School.

The visit aimed to have a fruitful discussion on the possibility of research collaborations, particularly under the framework of the UEC-SPRING PROJECT and JICA funding scheme. The meeting marked an important milestone in fostering a potential cooperation between NIMT and UEC.  Afterwards, NIMT arranged facility visits to the laboratories of Dimensional Metrology Department and Mechanical Metrology Department including Flow, Pressure and Wind Tunnel respectively.

Dr. Thayathip Thongtan, Senior Professional Metrologist from the Primary Electrical, Time and Frequency Standards Group of Electrical Metrology Department, participated in an international workshop on Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) held on 10 -13 December 2024 in Hanoi, Vietnam.

This workshop served as a platform for a group of GNSS experts to discuss and exchange knowledge as well as share an emerging technology on GNSS applications. By participant this event, NIMT has dedicated to developing technical capabilities remaining at the forefront of the international measurement standards and enhancing the future potential collaboration in the field of Time and Frequency Standard.