Govt lays plans for regional hub status
Three agencies have agreed to work together to raise the standard of electric devices and electronic components made locally for supplying the country’s electric rail transport system.
The National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), the Department of Rail Transport (DRT) and the Rail Technology Research and Development Agency (RTRDA) have come together to support the cause.
Rail system technology is one of the most important mechanisms in logistics and transport which explains why Thailand has been investing in it substantially, said Sukit Limpijumnong, director of the NSTDA.
Thailand is building a double-track rail system, with rail system technology likely to play an even more important role in future, he said. The government has a long-term plan to make the rail system the country’s main form of public transport while also aiming to establish Thailand as a regional leader in rail system technology, Mr Sukit said.
For its part, the NSTDA has the Electrical and Electronic Products Testing Centre (PTEC), which tests and certifies the standard of products needed in the rail transport system, he said.
The PTEC is an ISO/IEC17025-certified testing and calibration laboratory with competence in testing electric train components, electronic devices, train signalling systems, and the communication system for electric trains, Mr Sukit said. The PTEC also takes on testing electromagnetic compatibility (EMC), work it has been doing for more than two decades.
EMC testing ensures an electric train system is protected against electromagnetic disturbances, he said, adding the PTEC has served several train lines including the Green, Purple, Blue, Red and Gold lines.