Assistant Professor Dr. Ratchaphon Samphutthanont, Director of the AiroTEC, Chiang Mai Rajabhat University, was honored to be invited by the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA) in collaboration with the National Institute of Environmental Research (NIER), Republic of Korea, to participate in the international seminar “Next GEMS-AQ: Data Synergy for Future Collaboration” held on April 27, 2026, at Asawin Grand Convention Hotel, Bangkok. He was also invited as a keynote speaker to deliver a presentation titled “Air Pollution in Northern Thailand: A Multi-Platform Perspective” His presentation highlighted the integration of multiple observation platforms, including satellites, research aircraft, atmospheric balloons, and ground-based monitoring stations, to analyze PM2.5 conditions, transboundary haze, and air pollution dynamics in Northern Thailand. The presentation also introduced the Airshed concept as an approach to support regional air quality management.

In addition, the seminar brought together researchers from various institutions in Thailand and the Republic of Korea to share knowledge and research findings. Participating institutions included the Faculty of Environment, Kasetsart University, the Faculty of Environmental Management, Prince of Songkla University, as well as universities from the Republic of Korea, including Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, Chungnam National University, and the University of Suwon. This reflects strong international academic collaboration in air quality research. During the discussion session, participants also discussed the “Possibility of Tethered Sonde in Chiang Mai” a proposed initiative to develop a vertical air quality observation system in Chiang Mai to study pollutant distribution at different atmospheric heights and explore new dimensions of haze pollution in Northern Thailand. The initiative is expected to become an important research project in the coming year.