In the fast-paced world of technology, there are people working behind the scenes to keep Thailand on track with innovation and progress.

Science and technology are powerful forces shaping Thailand’s progress from improving public health and education to expanding access to clean energy and unlocking new frontiers like space. Behind this progress are dedicated individuals who blend expertise with a vision for social good. Figures like Asst. Prof. Dr. Chedtha Puncreobutr, Anol Paisal, Asst. Prof. Dr. Somporn Chuai-Aree, and Nitiyut “Miky” Wongbuddha are pushing boundaries in their fields  – they’re creating real-world solutions that uplift communities and help Thailand thrive in a complex world.

Chedtha Puncreobutr Advances Thai Surgical Innovation

As a leading expert and lecturer in metallurgical and materials engineering at Chulalongkorn University, Asst. Prof. Dr. Chedtha Puncreobutr’s been at the forefront of research in metal 3D printing, especially for orthopaedics and biomedical applications. His work has earned him multiple recognitions, including the Thailand Young Outstanding Metallurgist Award. 

Beyond the classroom and lab, he’s also the co-founder of Meticuly, a pioneering company using 3D printing technology to create custom titanium bone implants. Meticuly’s technology has already helped over 1,800 patients, and the company continues to push the boundaries of personalised healthcare. In 2024, Meticuly became the first Thai company to win the prestigious WIPO Global Award, selected from a field of 667 companies across 107 countries. The award recognises companies using innovation and intellectual property to make a real impact – and Meticuly’s work certainly fits the bill.

One of Dr. Chedtha’s studies explores how to improve surgical plates used for midshaft clavicle fractures. Working with four other researchers, he compared two plate designs – one with screw holes above the fracture zone (SHFZ), and one without. Using computer simulations, they found that removing those screw holes significantly reduced stress on the plate, which could lower the risk of implant failure. The study suggests a simple but impactful design change to make surgeries safer and more effective for patients with this common shoulder injury. 

Behind this success is Dr. Chedtha’s clear vision: to transform how medical implants are made and used, bringing world-class technology to patients everywhere. 

Anol Paisal Builds Thailand’s Future in Space

Anol Paisal’s journey began within his family with his uncles who loved tinkering with electronics and another who introduced him to coding, Anol developed an early interest in technology. Inspired further by science fiction like Star Wars, Star Trek, and his father’s collection of space-themed books, he grew curious about space and innovation – interests that continue to shape his work today. His early work ranged from machine translation at Asia Online to engineering in Japan, and designing sonar tech that ranked top 5 globally at the ROBOSUB competition.

In 2015, he founded EmOne (Thailand), followed by EmOne Estonia in 2021. The company provides IoT solutions to clients – like satellites for cleaning up space debris and electromagnetic launch systems. EmOne was selected by Thailand’s National Innovation Agency and Thai Space Consortium as one of 10 startups in their “Space Economy: Lifting Off” programme. Today, EmOne is solving problems across renewable energy, underwater systems, and space technology. 

Somporn Chuai-Aree Champions Tech for Community

Asst. Prof. Dr. Somporn Chuai-Aree is a researcher, educator, and advocate for sustainable innovation. He teaches at Prince of Songkla University, where his research spans simulation and 3D visualisation, computational biology, artificial intelligence, and ocean wave modelling. His diverse work includes from L-systems for plant growth to numerical modelling of weather and water flow. Dr. Somporn also co-founded Pattani Bay Watch (PBWatch), which focuses on natural disaster prevention. 

Beyond his role as a professor, his project reflects a commitment to alternative energy. Through the Solar Man in the Southernmost Border initiative, he equips communities with solar knowledge and tools, training locals as energy ambassadors to promote self-reliance and resilience. The project encourages household-level power generation to reduce inequality and prepare for disasters, while fostering lifelong learning. It supports real-world solar adoption, creates grassroots energy networks, and also advocates for installing 100-kilowatt solar systems in hospitals across the three southern border provinces to ensure energy security during emergencies.

One of his standout researches focuses on modelling rainwater overland flow using diffusion equations. In collaboration with two researchers, he developed a simulation tool that accurately visualises flood patterns in rugged terrain, with real-world applications like predicting flooding in Nakhon Si Thammarat. The model’s alignment with satellite imagery demonstrates its potential in flood risk assessment and disaster prevention.

Nitiyut Wongbuddha Leads Youth Innovation with Empathy

At 17, Nitiyut “Miky” Wongbuddha has already earned a reputation as one of Thailand’s most inspiring young inventors. His first invention, the “I-See” cap, was designed to help blind individuals avoid collisions with overhead obstacles. With support from the Thailand Association of the Blind, Miky is helping distribute the I-See cap to improve safety and mobility for visually impaired people across the country.

His innovation, smart chair for the elderly and leg rehabilitation, earned him international acclaim, winning the Public’s Choice Award at the 2023 Global Student Innovation Challenge and a Gold Medal at the 2021 China (Shanghai) International Invention & Innovation Expo. Another is a positive pressure cabinet, created to protect healthcare workers during patient treatment, received the prestigious Nikola Tesla Prize. 

Inspired by heroes like Spider-Man and innovators like Nikola Tesla, Miky approaches problems with curiosity and empathy. He says one of his biggest challenges was designing the smart chair’s features, but overcame it by changing his perspective and thinking creatively. He continues to prove that age is no barrier when it comes to making a meaningful difference through science, innovation, and heart. 

He shares,

“I hope future generations remember me as an inventor who cared. For me, the greatest happiness comes from helping others.”