From August 6 to 9, 2024, the International Training Workshop on "Increasing capability for Weather and Climate in Thailand through Numerical Methods Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence" (INCAP2024) took place in Bangkok, Thailand. This event was jointly organized by the CAS-TWAS Center of Excellence for Climate and Environmental Sciences, the CAS-TWAS network for Sustainable Development, and the Hydrological Information Institute (HII) of Thailand.
The opening ceremony was hosted by Dr. Patamawadee Pochanukul, Director of the Thailand Science Research and Innovation Agency (TSRI), Dr. Royboon Rassameethes, Director of HII, Ms. Wang Dongyao, Deputy Director of the International Organizations Division of the Bureau of International Cooperation Bureau, CAS, and Prof. Lin Zhaohui, Director of the CAS-TWAS Center of Excellence for Climate and Environmental Sciences(ICCES). Ms. Nuanwan Tohthong from the Thai Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation also attended the opening.
In her opening remarks, Dr. Pochanukul emphasized that the workshop provided a valuable platform for knowledge sharing, fostering collaboration, and exploring key issues in meteorology and climate science. She noted the deep exchanges and partnerships formed between experts from China and Thailand, reflecting a strong commitment to advancing science and innovation in both countries. Dr. Rassameethes highlighted that this workshop continues the successful tradition of the inaugural INCAP workshop held in 2019. She stressed the increasing severity and frequency of extreme weather events threatening Thailand’s communities, economy, and ecosystems, and how numerical methods, machine learning, and AI can significantly enhance prediction accuracy and strategies for mitigating and adapting to climate change.
Ms. Wang Dongyao underscored the shared mission of CAS and TWAS to advance science and technology in addressing common challenges and achieving regional sustainable development. She noted that CAS has established six CAS-TWAS Centers of Excellence, which serve as platforms for Southern scientists to engage in regional cooperation and expressed hope for greater participation from Thai scientists and institutions.
Prof. Lin Zhaohui highlighted that INCAP is a capacity-building project aimed at enhancing the skills of researchers in Thailand and other developing countries in data science, model applications, and climate prediction. He noted the revolutionary impact of integrating numerical methods, machine learning, and AI, which not only improves prediction accuracy but also extends the range of forecasts. Advances in machine learning and AI enable researchers to provide more reliable warnings for extreme weather and climate events, which is crucial for disaster preparedness and impact mitigation.
The four-day workshop featured experts from China and Thailand, who introduced cutting-edge tools and techniques in numerical methods, machine learning, and AI to enhance Thailand's meteorological and climate forecasting capabilities. Participants gained in-depth knowledge and practical skills in these areas and had opportunities to engage with experts, fostering knowledge exchange and interdisciplinary collaboration.
The workshop included 12 presentations, with notable contributions from Prof. Zhang He and Prof. Li Xichen from the ICCES, who spoke on "Applications of Climate Models at Different Time Scales" and "Insights from Machine Learning in High-Latitude Climate Research," respectively. Professor Zhang Ronghua from Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology discussed "Applications of Transformer-Based Coupled Ocean-Atmosphere Models in ENSO Research and Real-Time Forecasting," while Dr. Wang Jincheng from the China Meteorological Administration provided an overview of "Numerical Weather Prediction: Advantages and Limitations." Experts from King Mongkut’s University of Technology, the China Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research, the Institute of Agricultural Economics and Development, and HII also delivered presentations.
The workshop included field visits to the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) in Nakhon Ratchasima Province and the Lam Takhong Dam, managed by the Royal Ihhigation Department, as well as attending a lecture on dam operations for water resource management. These activities provided participants with a comprehensive understanding of the impacts of droughts and floods on Thailand's environment and the local government's measures for disaster response and water management.
The training attracted over 120 participants from more than 20 universities, research institutes, and agencies across Thailand, including Chulalongkorn University, Chiang Mai University, Srinakharinwirot University, Kasetsart University, and the National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand, as well as departments such as the Thai Meteorological Department and the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department. Participants actively engaged in the training, expanding their academic horizons and research capabilities in numerical methods, machine learning, and AI.
Opening Ceremony of the Training Workshop
Group Photo
On-site Training and Field Visits
