On Thursday, 1 May 2025, at 9:00 a.m., Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn graciously granted a royal audience to Ms. Supamas Isarabhakdi, Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation; Pol.Lt.Gen. Pornchai Suteerakune, Director of the National Institute of Metrology (Thailand) (NIMT); and a delegation of senior executives and staff of NIMT, at Sa Pathum Palace.

During the royal audience, the delegation had the distinguished honor of presenting Her Royal Highness with the inaugural Phadung Matra Award (a Certificate of Honor for National Metrology System Development) on the occasion of the 1st International Conference on Measurement Sciences and Applications (IMSA 2024). The award was conferred in recognition of Her Royal Highness’s exceptional contributions to advancing Thailand’s national metrology infrastructure—particularly through her steadfast support for research in optical atomic clocks and quantum measurement standards as the future foundation of national measurement systems.

The award presentation also served to commemorate Her Royal Highness’s visionary leadership, profound compassion, and unwavering commitment to supporting and promoting NIMT’s mission across multiple areas over the years. Following the audience, Her Royal Highness visited the exhibition on Quantum Measurement Standards, where she was briefed on Thailand’s progress in developing quantum-based measurement technologies.

The Phadung Matra Award, conferred by NIMT, consists of two key components:

1. A Digital Award Certificate – This digital certificate, jointly developed by NIMT and the Electronic Transactions Development Agency (ETDA), represents the first official instance of the award in 2024. The original file is encrypted to ensure information security and serves as a model for the Digital Calibration Certificate (DCC), a system currently under development. This initiative aims to digitize metrology processes, enabling seamless data interoperability across economic and industrial sectors and significantly enhancing national industrial efficiency.
2. A Model of a Linear Paul Trap – This scientific model represents a critical component developed by NIMT researchers to trap ytterbium ions, enabling the creation of optical atomic clocks. These advanced timekeeping devices surpass the accuracy of current cesium-based atomic clocks by several orders of magnitude. They are anticipated to play a central role in the upcoming redefinition of the SI base unit second (s) by the year 2030.

The Phadung Matra Award embodies the immense royal grace and patronage that Her Royal Highness has continuously extended to the Thai metrology community. Moreover, Her Royal Highness has been a vital force in championing frontier research initiatives, particularly in quantum technologies, which have received institutional support since 2019. Through a collaborative research agreement between NIMT and the Centre for Quantum Technologies (CQT) at the National University of Singapore (NUS), the two countries are jointly conducting research on optical atomic clocks and are planning to compare time signals from their respective clocks via the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) in the near future. The collaboration also encompasses other areas of quantum technology research, reinforcing the development of Thailand’s scientific capabilities.

In recognition of these invaluable contributions, NIMT respectfully conferred the Phadung Matra Award to Her Royal Highness as a tribute to her royal merit, in celebration of her exceptional achievements, and as a highest auspiciousness to the National Institute of Metrology (Thailand) and the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation.

Pol.Lt.Gen. Pornchai Suteerakune, Director of NIMT, expressed his profound gratitude for the boundless royal grace of Her Royal Highness, who has continually supported the NIMT’s development. Since graciously bestowing the names “Phadung Matra” and “Matra Thamrong” upon NIMT’s first two metrology laboratory buildings in 2006 and 2018 respectively, Her Royal Highness has played a foundational role in elevating the national metrology system. Most notably, Her Royal Highness presided over the inauguration of the Phadung Matra Building on 14 August 2006—the first metrology laboratory in Thailand specifically designed for the preservation of the national measurement standards under strictly controlled environmental conditions.

Following this historic event, Her Royal Highness made an unofficial visit to the Bureau International des Poids et Mesures (BIPM) in Paris, France, in March 2009, where she received in-depth information regarding the future of the International System of Units (SI), which would later be redefined based on seven physical constants, replacing the historical base-unit definitions. Her Royal Highness also learned of the Kibble balance, a precision instrument critical for determining the Planck constant, which underpins the SI redefinition.

In addition to her technical interest, Her Royal Highness has consistently promoted the academic advancement of the metrology community—particularly in fundamental metrology. She graciously presided over the signing ceremony of the quantum technology research collaboration between NIMT and NUS, enabling opportunities for Thai metrologists to access new techniques and international research infrastructure previously unavailable within Thailand.

Her Royal Highness has further granted permission for NIMT to provide progress reports on its development of measurement standards during annual meetings of the Information Technology Foundation under Royal Initiative and on Academic Exhibition Day at the Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy, serving as milestones for NIMT’s research endeavors. The opportunity to report directly to Her Royal Highness remains a great honor and source of pride for all Thai metrologists.

Pol.Lt.Gen. Pornchai Suteerakune further stated that, as part of the Quantum Measurement Standards exhibition, Dr. Sivinee Sawatdiaree, Head of the Electrical Metrology Department, and Dr. Piyaphat Phoonthong, Senior Professional Metrologist of the Electrical Metrology Department, presented a progress report on the development of quantum measurement standards in Thailand, which are being conducted in collaboration with the Centre for Quantum Technologies, National University of Singapore (NUS). Key project developments include the Yb⁺ Optical atomic clock, Josephson voltage standards, Quantum Hall resistance standards, Quantum impedance standard, Kibble balance, Josephson noise thermometer, and an Ultra-Stable Frequency Comb.

Additionally, a live broadcast from the laboratory at the Phadung Matra Building, National Institute of Metrology (Thailand), Technopolis, Klong 5, Pathumthani Province, showcased quantum properties through real-time demonstrations. This live presentation formed an integral part of the official briefing delivered during the royal audience.

On this auspicious occasion, the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, the National Institute of Metrology (Thailand), expressed their deepest gratitude for the royal benevolence bestowed through the gracious granting of royal permission to be received in audience and to present the “Phadung Matra Award” to Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, which constitutes an immeasurable honor and shall eternally be regarded as most auspicious for the National Institute of Metrology (Thailand).

On 9 April 2025, a delegation from the National Institute of Metrology (Thailand) (NIMT) led by Pol.Lt.Gen. Pornchai Suteerakune, Director of NIMT, visited Tatsuno Corporation in Tokyo, Japan.

The visit was warmly received by Mr. Yasuyuki Tsumura, Director of the R&D Department and his team at Tatsuno Corporation, a global leader in fuel dispensing and clean energy management technologies.

During the visit, the NIMT delegation was given a guided showroom tour showcasing cutting-edge technologies, including hydrogen fuel equipment, and an immersive VR presentation on next-generation fuel dispensers.

Key Discussion Topics:

• AdBlue technology: a solution to reduce emissions from diesel engines
• Hydrogen fuel solutions: as a part of the clean energy future
• E-fuels (synthetic fuels): emerging low-emission alternatives for internal combustion engines

This visit provided a valuable opportunity to exchange technical knowledge and explore possibilities for future collaboration in metrology and clean energy technologies.

Potential Benefits for Thailand:

• Development of accurate measuring instruments for alternative fuels such as hydrogen and AdBlue
• Support for e-fuel innovation in alignment with Thailand’s evolving energy and automotive industries
• Strengthening industry–metrology collaboration to ensure safe and reliable fuel dispensing systems
• Contributing to national strategies toward Net Zero Emissions by aligning metrological services with clean energy policies

This international engagement marks an important step toward enhancing NIMT’s capability in supporting Thailand’s clean energy transition through advanced measurement standards and technologies.

On 8 April 2025, a delegation from the National Institute of Metrology (Thailand) (NIMT), led by Director Pol.Lt.Gen. Pornchai Suteerakune, paid an official visit to Niigata Seiki Co., Ltd. in Japan. The visit marked a valuable opportunity for a productive and insightful exchange on metrology and technological innovation.

During the visit, the NIMT delegation held in-depth discussions with Mr. Toshiyuki Ikarashi, President of Niigata Seiki Works Co., Ltd., a renowned leader in precision measurement technologies. The engagement focused on the latest advancements in metrology, with special emphasis on precision measurement equipment, environmental control, and testing technologies. The delegation also explored the development of high-accuracy instruments tailored to support both industrial and research applications.

Key Discussion Topics: 

The visit offered a valuable platform to explore the development of high-precision instruments designed to support both industrial and research sectors, particularly diameter standards. The NIMT delegation gained insights into Niigata Seiki’s cutting-edge solutions and its role in driving forward precision engineering

Potential Benefits for Thailand:

By leveraging this expertise, Thailand anticipates strengthening its national metrological infrastructure. This collaboration is expected to benefit the country’s manufacturing and industrial ecosystems through improved calibration and testing capabilities, enhanced product quality, and a reduction in production errors. These advancements will contribute to elevating the global competitiveness of Thai products.

This productive exchange underscored NIMT’s commitment to aligning with international standards and fostering technological growth. The visit not only deepened mutual understanding but also laid the groundwork for future cooperation that supports Thailand’s broader goals in innovation, industry, and global integration in metrology.

On April 8, 2025, the National Institute of Metrology (Thailand) (NIMT) undertook a significant visit to Tanaka Scale Works Co., Ltd. in Japan, marking a valuable step forward in international cooperation in metrology. The delegation was led by Pol.Lt.Gen. Pornchai Suteerakune, Director of NIMT, with the goal of fostering knowledge exchange and exploring advancements in precision weighing technologies.

Upon arrival, the NIMT delegation was warmly welcomed by Mr. Yasuyuki Tanaka, President of Tanaka Scale Works. Mr. Tanaka personally guided the delegation through the company’s cutting-edge facilities, where he introduced the latest innovations in high-precision weighing instruments. Known for its longstanding expertise, Tanaka Scale Works is a leader in the development of precision scales used in various industries, including manufacturing, logistics, and quality control.

Key Discussion Topics:

During the visit, both parties engaged in detailed discussions covering a wide range of technological topics. Highlights included the latest advancements in both mechanical and electronic weighing systems, as well as the specialized design and application of truck scales – a product line of increasing relevance to Thailand’s infrastructure and logistics sectors.

A particularly noteworthy concept explored during the discussions was the “Disturbance Cancellation” method. Originally designed for marine applications to weigh fish onboard vessels, this technique involves the simultaneous measurement of both sample and standard weights. It offers high resilience to environmental disturbances, making it an attractive solution for Thailand’s field-based metrology needs, such as weighing rain gauge containers in outdoor settings.

Potential Benefits for Thailand:

The visit emphasized the potential for enhanced collaboration between NIMT and Tanaka Scale Works, with mutual benefits in terms of technological advancement. For Thailand, adopting such innovations could significantly enhance the accuracy and efficiency of national metrology practices, further aligning with international standards and bolstering industrial competitiveness.

This visit represents a meaningful step in NIMT’s ongoing efforts to engage with international leaders in metrology. NIMT remains committed to driving forward the development of science, technology, and industrial capability in Thailand.

On 11 April 2025, a delegation from the National Institute of Metrology (Thailand) (NIMT) led by Pol.Lt.Gen. Pornchai Suteerakune, Director of NIMT, visited to the National Metrology Institute of Japan (NMIJ) and the Group of Quality Assurance for Advanced Technology (G-QuAT). The visit aimed to strengthen bilateral collaboration through discussions on the renewal of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and to explore potential collaborative metrology projects between the two institutes.

NIMT delegation met with high-ranking executives at NMIJ, including:

• Dr. USUDA Takashi – Director General
• Dr. HOSAKA Kazumoto – Deputy Director General
• Dr. TAKETOSHI Naoyuki – Director, Center for Quality Management of Metrology (CQMM)
• Dr. MORIOKA Takehiro – Manager, International Cooperation Office (ICO)
• Dr. KANEKO Nobuhisa – Prime Senior Researcher, NMIJ (RIPM) / G-QuAT

Additional NMIJ researchers and specialists joined the discussions and technical tours, including experts from particle measurement, gas analysis, dimensional standards, and nanomaterial structure groups.

As part of the visit, NIMT delegation toured various state-of-the-art facilities at NMIJ. These included:

• Airborne Particle Number Concentration Standard: This lab is dedicated to the precise measurement and standardization of airborne particles, a critical area for ensuring environmental quality and industrial safety.
• Gravimetric Method and Gas Analyses for Standard Gases: The team explored advanced methods for gravimetric calibration, essential for ensuring the accuracy of gas measurements used in industries such as manufacturing, and environmental science.
• Optical Tunnel for EDM Calibration: The optical tunnel is a unique facility used to calibrate electronic distance measuring devices (EDMs) to ensure precision in geospatial and construction projects.
• Dimensional X-Ray CT: A groundbreaking technology for examining materials and components, which is crucial for fields like aerospace, electronics, and biomedical industries.
• Development of Film Thickness Characterization by X-ray Reflectometry: This facility focuses on the development of precise reference materials used in industries where thin film applications are critical, such as in semiconductor production.

In addition to NMIJ, NIMT delegation visited the Global Research and Development Center for Business by Quantum-AI Technology (G-QuAT). G-QuAT is at the forefront of leveraging quantum computing and AI technologies to innovate across a variety of fields, including metrology. This collaboration could provide significant benefits in the form of new metrology tools powered by AI and quantum technologies, paving the way for greater precision and efficiency in various industries.

Key Discussion Topics:

The key topic of the visit was the renewing of an MoU, aimed at formalizing a long-term partnership between NMIJ and NIMT. The MoU will facilitate knowledge exchange, collaborative research, and joint development of advanced measurement technologies. Several project proposals were also discussed, focusing on areas such as:

• Collaborative research in quantum-based measurement systems
• Exchange programs for metrology experts

Potential Benefits for Thailand:

The outcomes of this collaboration will be highly beneficial for Thailand, particularly in improving the country’s metrology infrastructure. Some key benefits include:

• By adopting NMIJ’s advanced measurement techniques, Thailand will enhance the accuracy and reliability of its own national standards, benefiting various sectors including manufacturing, environmental monitoring, and healthcare.
• The collaboration will foster technology transfer, particularly in cutting-edge areas like quantum metrology and AI-driven calibration techniques. This could lead to the development of new technologies and services in Thailand.
• Through the exchange programs and joint research, Thailand’s metrology professionals will gain valuable expertise, contributing to the long-term development of Thailand’s metrology capabilities.
• Strengthening ties with an esteemed institution like NMIJ will increase Thailand’s standing in the international metrology community, positioning the country as a leader in high-precision measurement standards.

In conclusion, the visit to NMIJ and G-QuAT marks a significant step towards advancing Thailand’s metrology capabilities. The collaboration, particularly through the MoU and proposed projects, will not only improve Thailand’s measurement standards but also contribute to broader scientific and technological development in the region.

On 10 April 2025, a delegation from the National Institute of Metrology (Thailand) (NIMT), led by Pol.Lt.Gen. Pornchai Suteerakune, Director, visited the National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT), Japan, to formally renew the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on metrology cooperation and to further enhance technical collaboration.

Warmly welcomed by NICT’s senior executives:

• Motoaki YASUI, Vice-President
• Katsuhiro NAKAGAWA, Director General, Applied Electromagnetic Research Institute
• Souichi WATANABE, Director, Radio Research Institute, Electromagnetic Standards Research Center
• Tetsuya IDO, Director, Space-Time Standards Laboratory, Applied Radio Research Institute
• Hiroshi EMOTO, Director, International Research Advancement Office, Global Alliance Department

As part of the visit, the delegation toured NICT’s cutting-edge research facilities, including:

• Strontium Optical Lattice Clock, one of the most precise atomic clocks in the world
• Wireless Two-Way Interferometry (Wi-Wi) for remote time transfer and in-door positioning
• GNSS-based Time Transfer systems
• Japan Standard Time (JST) system operations
• Headquarters Exhibition Room showcasing NICT’s innovation and technological milestones

Key Discussion Topics:

Key discussion during the visit centered around strengthening collaboration through joint researcher exchange programs. Both institutes expressed mutual interest in facilitating research opportunities.

Potential Benefits for Thailand:

This renewed MoU and the proposed researcher exchange initiative are expected to bring substantial benefits to Thailand, including:

• Enhancing the expertise and capability of Thai researchers in advanced metrology
• Strengthening national infrastructure in time and frequency standards
• Supporting high-precision technologies such as satellite communications, GNSS, 6G, and quantum applications
• Promoting Thailand’s visibility and scientific standing in international metrology communities

This visit marks a significant step forward in fostering sustained metrological cooperation between Thailand and Japan and reinforces the commitment of both institutes to excellence in time and frequency measurement research and development.

NIMT successfully organized a training on the Calibration of Hydrometers from 8 to 11 April 2025. The course was designed for colleagues from the Industrial Technology Development Institute (ITDI), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), the Republic of the Philippines; namely, Engr. Ma Nazarene M. Baculanta and Engr. Racquel O. Remorque.

Throughout the training, Engr. Ma Nazarene and Engr. Racquel engaged in an in-depth exploration of both the theoretical framework and practical applications related to hydrometers. The sessions were led by Dr. Chompoonoot Hirunyapruk, supported by her assistant, Mr. Monchai Mitaree, who jointly imparted the valuable knowledge and shared their extensive experience in hydrometer calibration.

The achievement of this program was to significantly enhance ITDI’s measurement capabilities in hydrometers and optimize its calibration system for the greater effectiveness. It further reinforced the metrology collaboration between NIMT and ITDI, encompassing both ongoing initiatives and prospective undertakings.

On 26 March 2025, NIMT organized the online workshop on “Calibration capability for insulation/syringe pump analyzers” to summarize the overall results of the collaborative project – MEDEA 3.0: Metrology – Enabling Developing Economies in Asia. The participants consisted of representatives from NMIs in DEC and APMP countries.

The concept of this workshop was “Testing Procedures of Infusion Pump and Calibration Procedures Guidelines of Infusion Device Analyzer, Final Report of Pilot Study on Infusion Device Analyzer Comparison and Success Story”, facilitating for participants to discuss, present reports and exchange their opinions. Its result and feedback would be concluded and outlined for the future implementation of this project.

On 24 March 2025, NIMT hosted the executive meeting of Designated Institutes (DIs) of Thailand and the agency under APMP membership, chaired by Pol.Lt.Gen. Pornchai Suteerakune, the Director of NIMT. The participants consisted of representatives from NIMT, the Thailand Institute of Scientific and Technological Research (TISTR), the Office of Atoms for Peace (OAP), and the Department of Medical Sciences (DMSc). The meeting aimed to discuss the potential collaboration in the development of chemical measurement capabilities and measurement standards for the future technologies, driving the advancement of the national metrology system towards global recognition. It was held at Matra Dhamrong building, Klong 5, Pathumthani province.

NIMT successfully organized the assessment of technical competence of Impedance and Electrical Resistance from 17 – 21 March 2025. It was honored to welcome Dr. Jan Kučera, Technical Expert from the Czech Metrology Institute (CMI), Ms. Sirorat Thonhamkaew and Ms. Panida Somwan, Quality Experts from the Thai Industrial Standards Institute (TISI) for the assessment of Impedance and Electrical Resistance Laboratories of the Electrical Metrology Department. This activity aimed to improve NIMT’s technical competence and ensure the compliance with ISO/IEC 17025 requirements. It was held at Phadungmatra building, Klong 5, Pathumthani province.