Bangkok:Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation Yotsanu Wongsawat engaged in discussions with two Nobel Prize-winning chemists to explore innovative solutions for combatting PM 2.5 dust in Thailand.

According to Thai News Agency, Yotsanu Wongsawat met with Professor Susumu Kitagawa from Kyoto University and Mr. Koichi Tanaka from Shimadzu Corporation. The discussions focused on using "porous materials" technology, known for its gas-trapping properties, as a potential solution for Thailand's PM2.5 pollution. There are plans to conduct a feasibility study for a pilot project in Thailand soon.

Professor Kitagawa has a team of postdoctoral researchers working in Thailand at the Vidyasirimethi Institute, and efforts are underway to organize a symposium to expand the research network within the country. He advised that Thailand should invest in fundamental science irrespective of immediate commercial returns, with government support extending over 20 years, and stressed the importance of fostering new generations of researchers.

Mr. Koichi Tanaka expressed that Thailand's focus on the wellness industry is a strategic move. He noted the necessity for integrating knowledge from multiple disciplines to develop expertise in this complex field, highlighting Thailand's potential in achieving this specialization.