On 23 February 2023, NXPO President Dr. Kitipong Promwong and Assistant to the President Ms. Nirada Werasopon led NXPO staff to visit the Eastern Economic Corridor of Innovation (EECi).  The team spent the morning at Vidyasirimedhi Institute of Science and Technology (VISTEC) and Kamnoetvidya Science Academy (KVIS). At VISTEC, NXPO team was greeted by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Thanit Pewnim, Assistant to the President; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sarana Nutanong, Dean of School of Information Science and Technology; and Prof. Dr. Pimchai Chaiyen, Dean of School of Biomolecular Science and Engineering. VISTEC is a postgraduate-level university, striving towards world-class research excellence by creating advanced knowledge and cutting-edge innovation and developing research collaboration with academia, industry and research institutes. At KVIS, the team was welcome by Principal Dr. Boonchoat Paosawatyanyong. KVIS was founded to become a leading high school for children gifted with skills in mathematics and science.

In the afternoon, NXPO team visited Intelligence Operation Center (IOC) of PTT Group. IOC is designed to support smart city concept of EECi, with a state-of-the-art operating and monitoring system for an effective and enery-efficient facility and utility management.

EECi is Thailand’s new innovation hub for translational research and technology localization. Two research facilities that were visited by NXPO team were Sustainable Manufacturing Center (SMC) in EECi ARIPOLIS and Smart Greenhouse in EECi BIOPOLIS. 

This study visit is important for NXPO, as the office is preparing public policy recommendations to promote Thailand’s target industries such as electric vehicle, electronics, food for the future and creative content. The policy recommendations will cover the aspects of technology, high-skilled labor and infrastructure such as innovation industrial park to leverage capacity of Thai businesses to participate in the global supply chain.