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Regional Remote Sensing Promotion Centers of Thailand

Dr. Suvit Vibulsresth, Ms. Chalomphon Boomboothara Dr. Chaowalit Silapathong

Abstract
To enhance the activities on remote sensing and GIS within different regions of the country, Thailand Remote Sensing Center (TRSC) has set up a programme for the establishment of Regional Remote Sensing Promotion Centers. This programme was started in early 1994 in collaboration with 3 universities in the North (Chiang Mai Univ.), the South (Prince of Songkhla Univ). and the Northeast (Khon Kaen Univ). The main objective is to train personnel in area of Remote Sensing an GIS and also to promote research activities and satellite data distribution. As a core agency in each region, and also with neighboring countries, the centres will be responsible for remote sensing activities promotion. TRSC will allocate budget for the programme whereas the universities will provide facilities and staff. If the programme is successful, TRSC plans to establish more regional centers in the future.

Introduction
Thailand National Satellite Remote Sensing Programme was established on September 14,1971 by cabinet decision which also set up the National Remote Sensing Co0rdinating Committee whose members comprised representatives of relevant agencies. The programme was upgraded to become Remote Sensing Division under NRCT in 1979 which is internationally known as Thailand Remote Sensing Centre (TRSC). Subsequently, The Thailand ground receiving station was set up in late 1981 to required Landsat data. Upgraded continuously since then, the station is capable to receive and process various satellite data Landsat, SPOT, MOS, NOAA, ERS-I and JERS-I.

In order to promote the application of remote sensing technology and GIS within different regions of the country, the Center therefore, initiated a programme for the establishment of Regional Remote Sensing Promotion Centers in collaboration with universities in each region. As the first phase of the programme, started in 1993, for a 5 years plan, 3 regional universities namely Chiang Mai University (Northern region), Khon Kaen University (Northeastern region) and Price of Songkhla University (Southern region) have been selected as regional centers. The Agreements of this collaboration between NRCT and the Universities were singed in early 1994.

Objectives
The objectives of the Regional Remote Sensing Promotion Centers (RRSPC) are summarized as follows:
  1. To set up the policy for remote sensing technology promotion at regional level.
  2. To develop remote sensing courses within educational institute.
  3. To promote and transfer remote sensing research activities within the region.
  4. To train an educate regional users on the application of remote sensing Technology.
  5. To support regional users with satellite data.
  6. To establish database for regional remote sensing and GIS activities.
Briefly, the regional centers aim to promote the application of satellite data natural resource management and to transfer remote sensing and GIS technologies to regional ruses

Structure and Function
The structure of RRSPC is shown in Figure 1. The Subcommittee on Regional Remote Sensing Promoting Centers Programme under the National Remote Sensing Co-ordinating Committee, was designated in 1993, to be responsible for the establishment and policy planning. TRSC acts as a core agency which will provide satellite data and budget to the regional center. The universities as host agencies, will provide staff and facilities including office room. Each center will carry out activities which were described in the Agreement. The functions of TRSC/NRCT and universities are summarized as follows:
  1. Function of TRASC/NRCT
  2. Policy planning of the proramme.
  3. Providing budget to the centers.
  4. Providing satellite data to the center, and
  5. Coordinating with other agencies, both national and international levels, to support the activities of this programme.
  6. Functions of the regional centers ( universities).
  7. Developing remote sensing courses and database for regional remote sensing activities,
  8. Regional research promotion on the application of satellite data and GIS
  9. Organization of remote sensing training course, at least I training course per year, for regional users,
  10. Distribution of satellite data within the region,
  11. Providing personnel, facilities and office.
Present Status
  1. Northern RRSPC. Agreement was signed on January 19, 1994 is established in the Department of Geography, Chiang Mai University. The structure of this center comprises 4 branches : users service, training database development and administration. The northern center will act as the core agency for remote sensing promotion within northern region including 17 provinces and also neighboring countries: China and Myanmar.
  2. Northeastern RRSPC. Agreement was signed on February 24, 1994. The center for the northeastern region is under the Computer Center of Khon Kaen University. The responsible area covers 19 provinces as well as Laos and Cambodia. This center is well equipped with Image Analysis and GIS systems such as Meridian, PAMAP, ILWIS ARC/INFO and PCI.
  3. Southern RRSPC. Through cooperation with Prince of Songkhla University Agreement was signed on February 3, 1994. The southern center is set p under the Office of Research and Development. The Center composition is similar to the northern center, They are user service, training, database and administration. This southern center will be a focal point for remote sensing and GIS activities and is able to serve 14 provinces in southern region. The scope of promotion will also be extended to neighboring countries such as Malasysia, Singapore and Indonesia.
In the year of 1994, TRSC provided by the National Remote sensing Co-ordinating Committee, a budget of 275,000 to each center to mange the first year activities focusing on the promotion of the centers by the informing the local users about the status of regional centers. A training course or a seminar is planned to be organized by each center. Quick look imagery covering to the area of each region, as well as some example image, will be provided to the centers. The local users, then, can contact directly with their regional center regarding remote sensing activities and data distribution.

Conclusion
Satellite remote sensing programme in Thailand has been progressively enhanced and strengthened. With the capability of the Thailand Ground Receiving Station to received and process present major satellites data, Thailand can provide multi-level satellite data to users worldwide. The establishment of Regional Remote Sensing Promotion Centers will enhance and support capability in the application of satellite remote sensing and GIS for the local users within the region of the country as well as neighboring countries. Consequently, the potential of Thailand in the filed of remote sensing and GIS technologies will undoubtedly increase in the future. Then, Thailand will play even more the important role in remote sensing and space technology outreach functions in the Asia – pacific region.