On July 5, 2023, Mr. Chayathan Phromsorn, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Transport, presided over and witnessed the signing ceremony of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Rail Technology Research and Development Agency (Public Organisation) or “RTRDA” and Huawei Technologies (Thailand) Company Limited.

The MOU aims to drive manpower development and facilitate technology transfer in information and communication technology for Thailand's rapidly evolving rail industry. The signing ceremony took place at G Tower, the Headquarters of Huawei Technologies (Thailand) Company Limited, in Bangkok. Mr. Santi Charoenpornpattana, President of the RTRDA, and Mr. Kevin Cheng, President of Thailand Enterprise Business Group, Huawei Technologies (Thailand) Co., Ltd., were present to sign the memorandum of cooperation. Additionally, Mr. Chotchai Charoenngam, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the RTRDA, and Mr. Edison Xu, Board Director of Huawei Technologies (Thailand) Co., Ltd., served as witnesses to the signing.

Technologies (Thailand) Co., Ltd., were present to sign the memorandum of cooperation. Additionally, Mr. Chotchai Charoenngam, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the RTRDA, and Mr. Edison Xu, Board Director of Huawei Technologies (Thailand) Co., Ltd., served as witnesses to the signing. Highlighting the importance of Thailand's ongoing rail transport infrastructure development, Mr. Chayathan Phromsorn, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Transport, emphasised critical initiatives such as the expansion of the dual-track railway network, establishment of a high-speed train network, and enhancement of equipment systems and rail transport infrastructure. These strategic endeavours serve as the foundation for the country's future economic, social, and environmental progress. To cultivate a robust rail industry ecosystem, it is imperative to concurrently pursue technology development strategies, rail standardisation and testing system development, rail technology research and development, and the cultivation of a highly-skilled workforce to meet the growing demand of the rail sector. In line with this vision, the Ministry of Transport established RTRDA to serve as a core mechanism for integrating expertise and resources from diverse stakeholders in the rail ecosystem, thereby strengthening rail research and development, and fostering the growth of Thailand's rail industry. With the core focus on R&D, innovation, and manpower development, RTRDA also functions as an excellence centre for exchanging and transferring rail technology at both national and international levels.

Huawei, recognised globally as a leader in the information and communication technology sector, has deeply committed to Thailand’s rail industry development through training, professional development, and technology development, leveraging its extensive knowledge, experience, and infrastructure. Huawei, therefore, holds remarkable potential to support our country’s rail industry. With a focus on ICT, RTRDA and Huawei will jointly organize targeted training courses to enhance the expertise of rail workers through Reskill Training. These courses will empower employees to adapt to the latest technological trends and ensure the seamless integration of digital solutions within the rail system. Moreover, Advanced Technical Training will be offered to aspiring professionals looking to build careers in the rail sector. This advanced training will nurture a new generation of experts well-versed in state-of-the-art ICT applications, preparing them to lead the rail industry’s future. In addition to skill development, this partnership will foster technology transfer initiatives in automation and robotics. The integration of these cutting-edge technologies into rail infrastructure and transportation management will drive efficiency and elevate the industry's performance.

The collaboration between RTRDA and Huawei is a significant step towards realizing Thailand's 20-year strategic plan for transportation system development (2018-2037). By harnessing the potential of ICT and fostering a skilled workforce, the rail industry will propel itself into a technologically advanced era, benefitting both passengers and Thailand's economy.