Training/education and research promotion on Remote Sensing in Thailand
Although Thailand has engaged in satellite remote sensing for as much as a decade now, one still has to admit that the awareness of this technology and its application is limited to a rather small community. (Vibulsresth : 1983). However, this problem has begun to dissolve after the high resolution satellite data of LANDSAT MSS and TM, SPOT HRV and the Japanese MOS-1 VTIR and MESSR can be received at the Thailand Ground Receiving Station.
Thus, in order to increase the awareness as well as familiarization with satellite data, the various kinds of training have been done by TRSC/NRCT, In 1980, the First Training Course of LANDSAT Data processing and Applications was organized and computer was first introduced for satellite data interpretation. All of these training courses appear in table 2.
Table 2: Details of LANDSAT Data processing and Applications Training Course
|
Course title | Course Details | Duration |
Total Participants/
Organizations |
LANDSAT DATA processing
and Application |
Introduction to Computer
System,data processing
and programming concept,
practical aspects of
digital image analysis. |
1st ( 1980) : 3 days
2nd ( 1981) : 18 days
3rd ( 1982) : 17 days
4th ( 1983) : 22 days
5th ( 1984) : 23 days
6th ( 1985) : 26 days |
46/26
31/24
22/21
23/18
33/21
22/22
|
One the main goals of TRSC/NRCT is the development of methodologies and applications for the benefit of users. After 1984, TRSC/NRCT is equipped with two computerized image analysis systems,
DIPIX Aries-2 and Meridian. The Dipix is a stand-alone, single workstation system while the Meridian provides a multi-operational environment with three PC workstations for image processing and a PC GIS that is linked to the Meridian System. The GIS is located on an IBM PC-AT computer with the SPANS (Spatial Analysis System) software. In addition, the TRSC/NRCT has developed a micro based image analysis system using the available commercial personal computer. The system was called MIAS-1 (Micro-Image Analysis System-1). It is suitable for elementary training (Ruangsisri, 1990).
These facilities are made available to most government users to promote the use of satellite data to extract information that would be useful not only to the respective agencies but also to the community as a whole.
In attempting to create knowledge and better understanding on computerized image analysis, the First and the Second Hands on Training on Digital Image processing were organized in 1987 and 1989 respectively. There have been 29 participants already attending this training. It is hoped that these participants will be able to operate this kind of equipment effectively.
Moreover, some specialized training has been designed to fit the ongoing activities of certain agencies such as training courses on remote sensing and mangrove which were held in 1986 and 1987 for increasing expertise of forest officers particularly those in local areas.
Clearly, all the afore-mentioned training courses have provided highlights on the techniques and applications on remotes sensing. In other words, the participants are encouraged to continue their work on using remotely sensed data when back in their offices. The feedback of the participants after completion of the course also look promising in that they have become familiar with the data and its potential, and hence strengthening users community within the country.
While remote sensing has proven useful in providing timely information which is necessary for development planning proceed both at regional and national level, there is a need to increase the awaronee of this technology in various sectors concerned including planners and decision makers. This has been achieved through organization of seminars and workshops on a regular basis. In addition to the international seminars, workshops, conferences and symposiums have been organized jointly with international agencies in order to share experiences and exchange ideas and information for mutual benefits.
It seems that only the technology transfer through trainings and seminars within the country has not fulfilled the need of man-power requirement, Besides, this advanced technology has developed continuously, This is the reason why Thai officers of various agencies
