Trang: The Department of Marine and Coastal Resources, in collaboration with the Rajamangala University of Technology Srivijaya, concluded the 8th Marine Science Conference under the theme 'Science, Technology, and Innovation for Ocean Change.' During the closing ceremony, the responsibility for hosting the next conference was passed to King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Pinsak Suraswadi, Director-General of the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources, presided over the event, which took place at the Ruea Rasada Hotel in Trang Province. The conference saw participation from 616 individuals and featured 337 academic presentations.
Her Royal Highness Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana Rajakanya, President of the Coral Reef and Marine Life Conservation Foundation of Thailand, presented awards for outstanding presentations. Mr. Chatuporn Buruspat, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, represented the Foundation President during the ceremony. Ms. Sirinya Sirimahawan's work on environmental chemistry and aquaculture ponds earned her the award for the best poster presentation, while Ms. Suphakan Chandaeng was recognized for her research on microplastic pollution in the Gulf of Thailand.
Furthermore, the Director-General awarded certificates to commendable academic works, with 12 awards distributed across different categories for both the general public and students. This initiative aims to inspire knowledge creation beneficial to Thai sea conservation efforts.
The Permanent Secretary praised the awardees and expressed gratitude to the network partners involved in organizing the conference. He emphasized that this academic gathering serves as a critical platform for sharing knowledge and experiences, aligning with the 'Open Government' principle that encourages public participation in addressing marine resource challenges.
The conference showcased the collaborative effort across sectors to conserve marine and coastal resources in Thailand, aiming to produce tangible outcomes and foster innovation for sustainable marine environments in the country.