Speaker
Description
Since the introduction of particle accelerators in 1984, primarily employed in radiation therapy, industry, and security, Thailand has progressively utilized the advantages of accelerator technologies across various applications, expanding to agriculture, scientific research, and transportation. Notably, the “Siam Photon Source (SPS)”, a 1.2 GeV synchrotron light generator, was established in 1996 at the Synchrotron Light Research Institute (SLRI), Nakhon Ratchasima, with the main objectives including advancing scientific research, especially those related to industrial, agricultural, food, and medical applications. Furthermore, Thailand acquired a linear accelerator in 2014 and a cyclotron in 2017 at the Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Proton Center (HPSP) and the Thailand Institute of Nuclear Technology (TINT), respectively, aiming to enhance precision radiation therapy and to facilitate the production of radiopharmaceuticals. As of the latest official report, Thailand currently possesses 164 linear accelerators, 15 electron beams, 7 cyclotrons, and 1 synchrotron, with 46.5% and 18.2% of all accelerators locating in the central and eastern regions, respectively. Despite the widespread use of accelerators in Thailand, plans for more advanced facilities are underway to further expand the technological capabilities. These initiatives encompass the establishment of an accelerator mass spectrometer (AMS), featuring a 1.7 MV tandem accelerator for carbon dating purposes, as well as a second synchrotron light source, with a higher energy of 3 GeV. The implementation of these facilities is expected to significantly enhance Thailand's knowledge and research capabilities, as well as increasing economic competitiveness of Thailand’s entrepreneurs.
