Bangkok: The 69th National Research Fair has officially commenced, marking a significant milestone for Thailand's ambitions to become a leader in deep technology within the ASEAN region. Yotsanun Wongsawat, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, inaugurated the event, announcing the strategic launch of the 'Siam Silica' initiative. This strategy aims to leverage Thailand's potential by attracting foreign investment through the 'National Chip Project,' positioning the nation as a new hub for chip manufacturing in Southeast Asia.
According to Thai News Agency, the opening ceremony of the 21st "Thailand Research Expo 2026" was held under the theme "Research Synergy: The Power of Research to Create a Sustainable Thai Economy and Society." Over 200 executives from MHESI and research networks gathered at the Centara Grand Hotel in Bangkok to witness the unveiling of the Siam Silica strategy. The initiative is designed to break through innovation bottlenecks and transform research into a driving force for sustainable economic growth.
Professor Dr. Yotsanun highlighted the urgency for Thailand to adapt and prepare for emerging global challenges, such as the rise of artificial intelligence and the tech war. He emphasized the importance of enhancing Thailand's capabilities through basic research and deep technology, particularly in the semiconductor, photonic, and data center industries, to attract foreign investment and prepare the workforce for future demands.
During his recent visits to the Netherlands and Belgium, Professor Dr. Yotsanun engaged with leading global partners to promote the Siam Silica project. The initiative draws inspiration from successful international projects such as the U.S. Pax Silica and the Netherlands' Project Beethoven, which focus on strengthening semiconductor ecosystems and creating conducive environments for technological growth.
The U.S. Pax Silica project emphasizes international partnerships to stabilize supply chains, while Project Beethoven in the Netherlands involves significant government investment to foster technological infrastructure and skilled workforce development. These models serve as benchmarks for Thailand's aspirations to establish itself as a deep tech hub.
Professor Dr. Yotsanun also detailed collaborations with global companies like ASML to expand supply chains in Thailand and partnerships with organizations such as SMART Photonics and PhotonDelta to develop specialized personnel and explore the feasibility of establishing a photonics chip manufacturing facility in the country.
In Belgium, discussions with research institutions like imec have focused on upgrading Thailand's TMEC center for advanced photonics chip design and manufacturing. Partnerships with universities such as TU Delft and TU/e are also underway to enhance chip design capabilities and expand educational programs for Thai students.
The Siam Silica project aims to bridge the gap in the innovation ecosystem, enabling Thai researchers to overcome barriers that prevent fundamental research from reaching the global market. The government plans to accelerate the National Chip Project by focusing on domestic design and manufacturing, while incentivizing private sector investment.
At the Thailand Research Expo 2026, over 200 network organizations, researchers, and investors are connecting to expand the application of research findings for national development. The event includes seminars, exhibitions, and an awards ceremony recognizing outstanding researchers and their contributions to various fields.
The awards ceremony highlighted the achievements of notable figures such as Prof. Dr. Sakkamon Thephastin Na Ayutthaya in food engineering, as well as research professors in medicine and space technology. Nine senior research fellows were also honored for their significant contributions to knowledge creation and research development.