On 28 January 2026, H.E. Dr. Suriya Chindawongse, Ambassador of Thailand to the United States, presided over the Friend of Thai Science 2025 Award Presentation Ceremony. The event was organized by the Office of the Higher Education, Science, Research, and Innovation Counselor at the Royal Thai Embassy in Washington, D.C. (OHESDC). The ceremony was held at the Royal Thai Embassy in Washington, D.C., with the participation of the Head of Team Thailand officials and staff, academia, and Thai students based in the Washington, D.C. area.

 

At the event, the Ambassador extended his congratulations to the two award recipients, namely Professor Methi Wecharatana and Professor Yon Rojanasakul. He commended both individuals for their significant roles in promoting cooperation between Thailand and the United States in the fields of science, technology, and innovation. The Ambassador emphasized the importance of strengthening collaboration in these three areas in the context of today’s rapidly evolving global landscape.

 

On this occasion, the Ambassador also shared his personal inspiration on Science, Technology, and Innovation, expressing the view that Thailand has strong potential to develop through STS - Science, Teaching, and Service. He noted that ‘Science’ is not limited solely to academic content, but encompasses ways of thinking and approaches to problem-solving, as well as learning processes. He remarked that Thailand has strong potential to further advance in these areas, particularly in the dimension of ‘Teaching’, or the transmission of knowledge to future generations, an area in which both professors have played an especially important role. As for ‘Service’, he further highlighted that it should focus on generating tangible benefits for society, integrating knowledge across disciplines, and building networks and connections that help provide guidance for society and support sustainable development.

 

The event also featured a seminar on the U.S. higher education system, moderated by Mr. Thitidej Tularak, Minister Counsellor of OHESDC, during which the two professors shared their personal and professional journeys across different disciplines. Both have pursued academic careers in the United States and have played a significant role in educating generations of high-quality Thai and international graduates.

The seminar addressed academic collaboration, research funding and management, the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on teaching and learning, faculty compensation and incentives in the U.S. higher education system, and ideas that could be adapted for Thailand’s higher education context.

 

The Friend of Thai Science Award was established in 2018 to honor individuals who have made significant contributions to Thailand’s scientific community through outstanding research and meaningful contributions benefiting Thailand and humanity. From 2018 to the present, a total of 16 individuals have received the Friend of Thai Science Award.