In an attempt to create the place, environment and interactive ground that generates, attracts and nurtures technology companies, NSTDA established infrastructure to support research and innovation with conducive ecosystem. NSTDA currently manages Thailand Science Park and Software Park Thailand and is in charge of establishing Eastern Economic Corridor of Innovation (EECi).
Thailand Science Park. With an established research hub of ICT, material science, biotechnology and nanotechnology, Thailand Science Park (TSP) provides a thriving environment for research and business collaboration, as well as networking. As the first science park in the country, it has dual objectives of incubating technology-based startup companies as well as encouraging established local and international companies to invest in research and development in Thailand. TSP has been managed by NSTDA since its commencement in 2002. It is strategically located on 80 acres of land in Pathum Thani province, an industrial area on the suburban edge of Bangkok. TSP has incubator units and pilot plants to rent to private companies, as well as land for lease. With over 300,000 sq.m. of built-up space, TSP can offer solutions to small or large enterprises. Currently, TSP is the home to more than 100 tenants, and this number is fast growing with the completion of Innovation Cluster 2 (INC 2), a building complex consisting of 4 inter-connected towers. Multinational companies setting up their base in TSP includes Polyplastics, Ecolab and Zoetis, for instance; whereas Betagro, SCG, PTT, Mitr Phol and Thai Oil are among Thai conglomerates making their presence. TSP tenants are entitled to maximum investment incentives provided by Thailand Board of Investment. In addition, TSP is a designated home-base of Food Innopolis, a research, development and innovation hub for food industry.
In 2022, NSTDA Thailand Science Park, organized ‘Open Innovation’ activities with three tenant companies: Ajinomoto (Thailand), CDIP (Thailand), and Kratom Innovation. The aim was to connect these companies with potential R&D collaborators within NSTDA. NSTDA and Ajinomoto identified 13potential joint projects, focusing on topics like alternative energy and energy storage technology. For CDIP (Thailand), 10 potential projects were identified, focusing on formulation development for herbal products and food supplements. Eleven joint projects were developed with Kratom Innovation on kratom plant cultivation to obtain the high content of active ingredient and product development and testing. In total, 34 projects were initiated, which will spur investment in research and development and foster collaborations both within and outside both parties.
In the 2022 tenant survey, 79.3% of respondents perceived that Thailand Science Park made a substantial contribution to their R& activities, while 53.3% agreed that the park made a substantial contribution to their business activities. Tenants cited the following benefits from being part of the Thailand Science Park community: 1) enhanced credibility with customers and third parties, 2) collaboration opportunities in research and development with NSTDA, 3) latest technologies with recognized standards, 4) an expansive network for research and innovation, and 5) livable and safe environment for their employees.
For more information, please visit: https://www.sciencepark.or.th/.
Software Park Thailand was established by the cabinet resolution made on 21 May 1997, with the primary goal of strengthening the software industry as a national strategic sector. The park’s mission revolves around fostering the growth of Thai software companies with the support of facilities and human resource development activities. To achieve these objectives, the Park implements four key actions:
1. Promoting Thai software companies, particularly in the expansion of domestic and international markets.
2.Leveraging innovation capacity of Thai software companies to create innovative products and services that meet international standards.
3.Providing infrastructure services such as rental space for office, software development, meeting & seminar rooms, and laboratories for companies.
4.Fostering human resource development and offering training services.
For more information, please visit: http://www.swpark.or.th/.
Eastern Economic Corridor of Innovation (EECi). The Thai Government has established a special development zone called the Eastern Economic Corridor or EEC which covers three provinces in eastern Thailand namely Rayong, Chonburi, and Chachoengsao. The EEC is designed to be a new hub for trade, investment, regional transportation, and a strategic gateway for commerce and trade in ASEAN. In addition, the site serves as a focal point for Thailand’s promotion of 10 strategic industries to become the “New Engines of Growth” to drive the nation’s economy. In order to support innovative research and development in the EEC, NSTDA, on behalf of the Thai Government, is establishing the Eastern Economic Corridor of Innovation (EECi). EECi offers a complete ecosystem for innovation and a new economic estate specializing in research, innovation, and related testing and evaluation. Infrastructure and services will be established to foster collaboration between the public and private sectors, as well as universities and local communities. There are four innovation platforms within EECi:
- ARIPOLIS: An innovation platform for automation, robotics and intelligent systems
- BIOPOLIS: An innovation platform for life sciences and biotechnology.
- SPACE INNOPOLIS: An innovation platform for aerospace and aviation.
- FOOD INNOPOLIS: An innovation platform for food industry.
For more information, please visit: https://www.eeci.or.th/en/
In addition to Thailand Science Park, NSTDA also supports the administration of three regional science parks strategically located at major universities in the north, northeast and south of Thailand and working in connection with various universities in their respective region. Northern Science Park is located at Chiang Mai University, Northeastern Science Park at Khon Kaen University and Southern Science Park at Prince of Songkla University.
National Quality Infrastructure
Recognizing that product quality is of prime importance to industry, NSTDA made considerable investment in state-of-the-art scientific instruments and well-trained technicians to provide testing and consultancy services to serve growing demand for high quality product testing in Thai industry.
National Science and Technology Infrastructure
To keep up with the advancement in technologies and emerging challenges, NSTDA established eight centers as National Science and Technology Infrastructure, namely National Biobank of Thailand (NBT), National Omics Center (NOC), NSTDA Supercomputer Center (ThaiSC), Technology and Informatics Institute for Sustainability (TIIS), NSTDA Characterization and Testing Service Center (NCTC), Electrical and Electronic Products Testing Center (PTEC), Industrial Ceramic and Houseware Product Testing Center (CTEC) and
Toxicology and Bio Evaluation Service Center (TBES)