The First Asian Conference on Remote Sensing
Bangkok, Thailand November 5-7, 1980
Opening Session in progress- Late Dr. Sanga Sabhasri on the left, next to him is Dr. Anuwat Wattanapongsiri, the Minister of Science, Technology and Energy of Thailand.
The history of Asian Conference on Remote Sensing (ACRS) started at The National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT) in Bangkok, Thailand from November 5-7, 1980 with the hosting of the First ACRS. It happened following the International Symposium on Remote Sensing of Environment, called ERIM Symposium, that was held in San Jose, Costa Rica in April, 1980. At that time the Asian participants met at Dr. Shunji Murai's hotel room and discussed about the future direction of Remote Sensing in Asia. The results was, as per Dr. Murai's own word at one of the organizing committee meetings of the First ACRS, as follows:
"We discussed why we, Asian cannot get together in Asian Region instead of in such a far away country as Costa Rica. We also realized that we do not know nor understand each other in the field of Remote Sensing, even though we live close to each other. Asian countries have our own unique problems which can be solved by Remote Sensing Technology".
Conclusions of the discussion at that moment were that we, Asian should organize the Asian Conference on Remote Sensing reflecting our own ideas, and that we should get together at the geographical center of Asian Region, that is, Bangkok within the year of 1980.
I did not expect to have so many participants from so many Asian Countries, 159 from twelve countries. I hope we learn many things and we promote our mutual understandings and friendship through this Conference."
The First ACRS was inaugurated by His Excellency the Minister of Science, Technology and Energy of Thailand: Dr.Anuwat Wattanapongsiri. Some significant parts of his speech at the inauguration of the First ACRS on Nov. 5, 1980 are placed below:
"I am much delighted to be here for the inaugurating of the First Asian Conference on Remote Sensing. It is indeed a great privilege and honor for Thailand to have been selected as the host country for the first conference. May I take this opportunity to welcome all of you to this memorable occasion.
A session on panel discussion in progress presided over by Dr. Sanga Sabhasri
conf01-03Cultural activities has been a part of ACRS -here is the first one during the 1st ACRS on board the "Oriental Queen"
Objectives of the First ACRS
The objectives of the Second ACRS were:
To discuss the Asian problems in development of remote sensing
To exchange academic and technical information
To promote operational applications
159 participants were registered from 12 countries and one international organizations. 157 participants came from 10 countries in the Asian Region, namely Bangladesh (1), China (8), India (1), Indonesia (1), Japan (17), Korea (1), Malaysia (8), Singapore (1), Sri Lanka (2) and Thailand (116). One came from USA, one from Netherlands(ITC) and one from UN ESCAP.
The representatives of each country met during the conference and decided to hold the 2nd ACRS in Beijing, China at the Friendship Hotel during October 29 - November 4, 1981.
Contributors
Dr. Suvit Vibulsresth
Mr. Manu Omakupt