“Supamas” inspects the operations of the Synchrotron Light Research Institute (Public Organization) or SLRI and sees the progress and application of synchrotron technology for research. She was particularly impressed with research on food processing and agriculture, such as elevating of Thai Arabica to compete in the world market, processing vegetables into snacks, extending the shelf life of durian for export by freezing. Moreover, she expressed her readiness to support the construction of a new 3 GeV synchrotron light source.

Ms. Supamas Isarabhakdi, Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research, and Innovation, accompanied by the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research, and Innovation (MHESI) executive team visited the operations of SLRI on 23^rd February 2024 at Nakhon Ratchasima Province. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Weeraphong Paesuwan, Chairman of the Board of SLRI who is a member of expert committee in science in Thailand Science Research and Innovation (TSRI), and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Saroj Rujirawat, Director of SLRI, and SLRI executives welcomed the Minister at SLRI, Muang District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province.

On this occasion, Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research, and Innovation visited the Siam Photon Laboratory and exhibitions of research results from the application of synchrotron light technology, including research results for medical application, such as the project to develop a 3D brain map (SYNAPSE), the development of silk masks to help the silk weaving community, the development of mRNA vaccine delivery carriers, and research results developed in collaboration with the private sector, such as Mama Kara lotion for mothers and children, along with research results in archeology, environment, and energy, such as research on ancient gold to trace its origins, unraveling the mystery of broken tusks to analyze elephant malnutrition, application of vacuum systems to preserve fossils, analysis of palm wood structure to develop products from palm wood, and the research results for turning waste into graphene. Ms. Supamas pays special attention to research results on food and agricultural applications, such as research on Korat chicken, the development of instant noodles by reducing the sodium content but still maintaining the deliciousness, processing vegetables into snacks in the form of vegetable crackers and vegetable thin crisps to create additional income for the Wang Nam Khieo vegetable growing community, development of Pop Rice to nourish the brain and enhance health, research on improving the quality of Thai Arabica coffee to compete in the worldwide market, extending the shelf life of durian for export by freezing.

Ms. Supamas was also given an exclusive look at a prototype of accelerator magnets developed by Thai researchers and engineers for the project to construct a new 3 GeV synchrotron light source. This second synchrotron in Thailand, to be located in the Eastern Economic Corridor of Innovation (EECi); Rayong Province, will support research in medicine, energy, environment, agriculture, automotive, materials, electronics, digital industries, artificial intelligence, arts and culture, and archaeology. The new facility has the potential to significantly elevate Thailand's scientific and technological standing in the world community.

After the visit, Ms. Supamas said, “The research on food and agriculture developed by SLRI is of great benefit to the community. There is food processing from vegetables left over from cutting which helps create new income channels. It increases the income for farmers in Wang Nam Khiao, Nakhon Ratchasima Province, adds value to agricultural products, and efficient use of resources from the agricultural product. If the new synchrotron light source is built, it will create a greater variety of research which helps create opportunities for the country. I am ready to support the construction of the 3 GeV synchrotron light source to be completed soon.”