Bangkok: Yotchanan highlights the 3GeV synchrotron as a driving force behind Thailand's transformation into an ASEAN research hub, aiming to revolutionize industry with advanced technology. Yotchanan highlights the synchrotron as a leading scientific infrastructure, unlocking Thailand's capabilities, transforming industries with advanced technology, and propelling Thailand towards becoming a high-income country and an ASEAN research hub.
According to Thai News Agency, today at The Sukosol Hotel, Professor Dr. Yotsanu Wongsawat, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI), delivered a special lecture on "Unlocking Thailand's Capabilities: Cutting-Edge Science Infrastructure for Research, Innovation, and Industry" at the Synchrotron Light Research Institute (SLRI) User Meeting 2026. He emphasized that Thailand must invest in advanced science and technology infrastructure to transition from a middle-income to a high-income country, creating sustainable economic value.
Professor Dr. Yotsanun underscored a pivotal change in Thailand's research infrastructure, advocating for a dual-use model where synchrotrons serve as both a research tool and economic infrastructure. He stressed that synchrotrons should drive business opportunities, fuel new industries, and attract highly skilled talent to contribute to Thailand's development.
Prof. Dr. Yotsanun remarked on the need to move beyond research papers to create new discoveries, emphasizing tools that help understand material structures at the electron level. The upcoming project to build a new synchrotron light source in Thailand will be the largest scientific infrastructure in Southeast Asia, enabling Thai industries to compete through innovation and value.
Applications in industries like the electric vehicle (EV) sector will benefit from the synchrotron's ability to analyze battery performance at the atomic level, aiding in the design of advanced materials. This infrastructure will also address issues in the semiconductor, materials science, and photonics industries, with AI integration reducing research and development time. Open access to this infrastructure will support industry, startups, and researchers, enhancing science diplomacy and establishing Thailand as an ASEAN research hub.
The 3 GeV synchrotron light source project (Siam Photon Project) has a detailed timeline. A loan agreement with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is set for November 2026, with cabinet approval expected by the end of October. Construction and manufacturing will commence, with key components ordered by August 2028. The engineering operations and reception buildings should be completed by January 2029, and the main buildings by August 2031.
Installation and testing of systems, including the linear accelerator and beamline systems, will occur from August 2032 to April 2034. The new synchrotron light source will be fully operational by July 2034, available for use by all sectors.