Dr. Surat Thongso
Areas of Expertise:
Green Smart Manufacturing | Industrial Robotics Integration | Digital Transformation Policy for ASEAN SMEs
Expert Profile:
Dr. Surat Thongso is a highly influential industrial automation expert in Thailand and across the ASEAN region. As a Senior Expert in the APIMA Industry Expert Pool and Advisor on ASEAN Affairs, he focuses on the industrial upgrading of Thailand's Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), dedicated to driving the transformation of the traditional automotive sector toward new energy vehicles and smart factories.
Dr. Thongso holds a PhD from Chulalongkorn University and completed his postdoctoral research at the Tokyo Institute of Technology, accumulating over 18 years of deep expertise in industrial automation. He formerly served as the Director of the Smart Manufacturing Department at the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA) of Thailand, where he led the formulation of Thailand's first industrial robot safety standards. His research is characterized by the integration of "cost-benefit analysis" with "automation retrofitting," specializing in providing feasible automation pathways for ASEAN SMEs with limited capital.
As a distinguished expert invited to the APIMA-NTU-ITB tripartite collaboration project, Dr. Thongso spearheaded the design of the "Localized Skills Training" module. Tailoring digital twin technology teaching methodologies to the diverse labor characteristics of Southeast Asian nations, he successfully assisted over 20 auto parts suppliers in Thailand's Rayong Province, achieving an automation rate increase exceeding 30%.
Dr. Surat Thongso is revered in the industry as the "Energy Master of ASEAN Factories," a title reflecting his profound understanding of the regional manufacturing ecosystem and his pragmatic approach to technology dissemination.
Official APIMA Evaluation:
"Dr. Thongso possesses a deep understanding of the unique ASEAN market dynamics. He excels at translating cutting-edge Industry 4.0 concepts into 'ground-level' solutions suitable for local enterprises. He is an indispensable core asset in advancing the mutual recognition of regional green manufacturing standards."