On March 6, 2026, Thailand Toray Science Foundation (TTSF) held the 32nd Awards and Research Grants Ceremony for Science and Technology at The Athenee Hotel Bangkok. The ceremony was honored by H.E. General Surayud Chulanont, President of the Privy Council, who presided over the event, marking the 17th year he has graciously served as the presiding guest. Also attending were H.E. Mr. Masato Otaka, Ambassador of Japan to Thailand; Professor Dr. Yongyuth Yuthavong, Chairman of TTSF; Mr. Akihiro Nikkaku, Chairman of Toray Industries, Inc. (Japan); and Mr. Hiroshi Yamada, President of Toray Industries (Thailand) Co., Ltd.

In line with TTSF’s mission to promote and support science and technology for Thailand’s development and progress, TTSF presented three types of awards and grants as follows:

 

(1) Science and Technology Awards for individuals or institutions with outstanding achievements in science and technology. This year, the individual award was presented to Professor Dr. Kasem Soytong of King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang. The institutional award was presented to the Construction and Maintenance Technology Research Center (CONTEC), Sirindhorn International Institute of Technology, Thammasat University, represented by Professor Dr. Somnuk Tangtermsirikul. In total, two awards were presented with a combined value of THB 800,000.

 

(2) Science and Technology Research Grants to support lecturers and researchers undertaking projects that contribute to the advancement of knowledge in science and technology in Thailand. A total of 20 grants were awarded, amounting to THB 4,000,000, covering 7 projects in agriculture, 5 in chemistry, 5 in engineering, and 3 in physics.

 

(3) Science Education Awards for junior and senior secondary science teachers with outstanding performance and innovative contributions to science education. A total of 6 awards were granted, worth THB 450,000 (THB 150,000 for junior secondary and THB 300,000 for senior secondary), along with additional science laboratory support totaling THB 125,000 for the awarded schools.

This year, TTSF presented awards and grants totaling THB 5.375 million. Over the past 32 years, TTSF has presented 65 Science and Technology Awards, supported 588 research projects, and honored 270 science teachers, with total contributions exceeding THB 167 million.

 

At the event, Professor Dr. Kasem Soytong, as the representative of the award recipients, expressed gratitude to TTSF and respectfully thanked the presiding guest and all distinguished attendees. He emphasized that the “Toray Foundation Awards and Research Grants” are prestigious honors that recognize research beneficial to society and the environment, and serve as vital encouragement for Thailand’s science and technology community to continuously develop new knowledge and innovations. He also thanked TTSF’s committee members, mentors, research colleagues, funding sources, and all participants who attended as witnesses to the 32nd ceremony.

In addition, the event featured a video presentation showcasing the works of three representatives of the award recipients. Assistant Professor Dr. Pimpet Sratong-on, Faculty of Engineering of Thai-Nichi Institute of Technology presented her research on developing the functional properties of mycelium bio-foam composites made from spent coffee grounds and rice husk for water retention and dust filtration in green roofs for sponge city applications. The study found that the material exhibits foam-like mechanical properties while remaining biodegradable and environmentally friendly. Its porous structure and mycelial fiber network can absorb and release water like a sponge, with potential for preliminary dust filtration. Although it is not suitable as a load-bearing structure, it is well-suited as a water-retention layer for green roofs to reduce building temperatures, increase green space, support the sponge-city concept, add value to agricultural waste, and reduce resource consumption.

Meanwhile, Associate Professor Dr. Somchai Sawatdee, School of Pharmacy of Walailak University, presented research on the fabrication and surface modification of cellulose nanocrystals derived from oil palm meal for vancomycin-loaded wound dressing membrane. The project aims to advance drug delivery systems using natural materials and agricultural residue by-products by upgrading low-value oil palm residues, which are rich in cellulose, into nanocellulose crystals with notable properties such as translucency, flexibility, strength, and permeability to air and moisture, making them suitable for medical wound dressings. The surface is further modified through chemical reactions to enhance adhesion and drug adsorption, enabling effective drug release to support wound healing. If successful, the project is expected to reduce reliance on imported wound-dressing materials, add value to agricultural residues, and increase income for farmers in southern Thailand.

As for Lecturer Junjira Chaiinseeard from Montfort College, Chiang Mai, presented research on developing a feed formula for weaver ants (Oecophylla smaragdina) using protein hydrolysate from sacha inchi meal with papain enzyme extracted from papaya seeds to promote sustainable farming of this economic insect. The project received the Science Education Award and was inspired by the large amount of agricultural residue by-products observed during a field study, which led to the idea of converting them into higher value-added resources. Together with her students, she designed experiments to convert sacha inchi meal into protein hydrolysate and develop a jelly-based feed that is easy for ants to consume and convenient to transport, further enhanced by applying AI and IoT systems to monitor feeding behavior and evaluate performance in real time. The results showed that the developed feed formula increases larval survival rates, improves nutritional value, demonstrates economic feasibility, and aligns with the BCG (Bio-Circular-Green) economy concept, with plans to expand the innovation to community-level farms to reduce feed costs, improve production stability, and reduce long-term environmental impacts.

On this occasion, Mr. Akihiro Nikkaku, Chairman of Toray Industries, Inc. (Japan), greeted attendees in Thai and expressed his appreciation to H.E. General Surayud Chulanont, President of the Privy Council; H.E. Mr. Masato Otaka, Ambassador of Japan to Thailand; Professor Dr. Yongyuth Yuthavong, Chairman of TTSF; and all distinguished guests for attending the event.

In addition, Mr. Akihiro Nikkaku congratulated all award recipients and referred to the Toray Group’s management philosophy of being “an institution of society” that contributes to society through its business activities and supports the development of countries through such operations. He also highlighted the role of TTSF, established to promote basic science, and its continuous contributions over the past 32 years supporting the advancement of science and technology, human resource development, and the strengthening of Thailand-Japan relations.

Toward the end of his remarks, Mr. Akihiro Nikkaku spoke about the global context of heightened geopolitical uncertainty and increasing risks from climate change-driven natural disasters, which are prompting countries to restructure supply chains and accelerate the energy transition. He commended Thailand’s direction in increasing the share of clean energy, promoting electric vehicles, and advancing its carbon neutrality goals, as well as developing the economy under the BCG (Bio, Circular, Green) concept. He further reaffirmed Toray’s strategy to drive “Sustainability Innovation” and its operations in Thailand that support greenhouse gas emissions reduction, resource circularity, and advanced materials innovation.

Lastly, Mr. Akihiro Nikkaku praised the diversity of the selected research projects in agriculture and biology, chemistry, engineering, and physics, noting that they address key national priorities such as productivity enhancement, industrial upgrading, and the energy transition. He expressed his hope that knowledge exchange and further development will take place in conjunction with Toray’s technologies to create new value for society, and he wished all award recipients continued success. He also thanked all parties involved for their dedicated support and ensuring the ceremony was conducted with distinction and dignity.

Meanwhile, H.E. Mr. Masato Otaka, Ambassador of Japan to Thailand, extended his congratulations to all award recipients, and expressed his sincere appreciation to H.E. General Surayud Chulanont for presiding over the ceremony. He also thanked TTSF, as well as Toray Industries, Inc., for their steadfast commitment to supporting the advancement of science and technology in Thailand over the past 32 years. In addition, he emphasized the close and enduring relationship between Thailand and Japan, built on 139 years of mutual trust, and strengthened through multifaceted cooperation in areas such as the economy, culture, tourism, education, and youth exchange, evolving into a truly indispensable partnership for both nations.

Furthermore, H.E. Mr. Masato Otaka, highlighted the enhanced cooperation in 2025, particularly in science and technology, energy, human resource development, and carbon emissions reduction. These efforts have provided a platform for both countries to jointly shape the future direction of energy and industry. Looking ahead to 2026, he expressed the intention to drive this collaboration toward more tangible outcomes and reaffirmed his commitment to combining the strengths of both countries to pass on learning and opportunities to future generations.

Lastly, H.E. Mr. Masato Otaka reaffirmed the role of TTSF as a foundation established by a Japanese company that has made sustained contributions to Thailand’s development through long-term human resource development. He remarked that today’s award recipients are a “key driving force” in carrying this progress forward. He concluded by wishing all recipients continued success in their future endeavors, expressing his hope that TTSF will continue to prosper, and that Thailand-Japan relations will grow even stronger and more enduring in the years to come.

Finally, H.E. General Surayud Chulanont, President of the Privy Council, stated that he was honored to preside over TTSF’s awards and grants ceremony. He emphasized the vital role of science and technology in rapidly transforming human life and the importance of adapting and leveraging these capabilities for Thailand’s national development. He praised this year’s award-winning Thai research as responsive to global social dynamics, particularly environmental conservation and sustainable development, and commended TTSF’s more than 32 years of continuous support in human resource development and inspiring young generations. He concluded by congratulating all recipients and offering his best wishes to TTSF, its supporters, committees, and all distinguished attendees for continued happiness and prosperity.