On 10 August 2021, NXPO Senior Policy Specialist Dr. Thanakarn Wongdeethai gave a presentation in a webinar titled “Thai-Korea Biz Networking: EV & Charging Station for Public Transportation in the Smart Cities” hosted by the Board of Investment of Thailand (BOI). The event aimed at initiating and fostering business collaboration among public and private enterprises in Thailand and Korea in the area of electric vehicles (EVs) and charging stations. Other speakers include experts from concerned Thai and Korean agencies such as the Digital Economy Promotion Agency (DEPA), BOI, Thailand’s Smart City Promotion Department, Korea Agency for Infrastructure Technology Advancement, Electric Vehicle Association of Thailand (EVAT), Ulsan University, and CEOs from Korean and Thai companies. 

Dr. Thanakarn presentation focuses on current programs that support joint projects. The Thai government has set the target of 20-25% greenhouse gas emission reduction by 2030, whereas the National Electric Vehicle Policy Committee aims to achieve a zero-emission vehicles (ZEV) production target of 30% of all new cars by 2030 with possible expansion to 100% by 2035. 

To achieve the targets, the Thai government is seeking collaboration with foreign partners in S&T, translational research and commercialization of research and innovation, as well as strengthening the competitiveness of Thai SMEs and startups.  

Financial support for research activities is available at the Program Management Unit for National Competitiveness Enhancement (PMU-C), one of the seven funding agencies in Thailand. PMU-C’s funding programs that fit with this event are future mobility, robotics and automation; technology localization; and global partnership – supporting all aspects of collaboration from fundamental research to translational research and commercialization. Currently, EV research in Thailand covers parts and components, EV conversion and industrialization. Areas for technology localization include EV stations, EV quality infrastructure system and maintenance center, and advanced driver assistance system (ADAS). 

Dr. Thanakarn concluded his talk by encouraging agencies in Thailand and Korea to develop win-win collaboration in human resource development, technology transfer and technology localization.