My Memories on Asian Conference on Remote Sensing
Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn

Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn seen with Professor Shunji Murai, General Secretary, AARS

I attended the Asian Regional Remote Sensing Training Course in 1984 at the Asian Institute of Technology. After the course I continued conducting a research on the land use and land cover in Narathiwat, the southernmost of the country. The study areas have complex land use and land cover types and most of the satellite images of the areas are cloud covered.

This research entitled "Land Use/ Land Cover Map Accuracy Assessment of Landsat Thematic Mapper Data Using the DIMAPS Image Processing System for Narathiwat Province" was presented at the Ninth Asian Conference on Remote Sensing, Ambassador Hotel, Bangkok, Thailand on November 23, 1998. On that occasion, I had the opportunity to learn more about different applications of Remote Sensing which partly enabled me to continue my research, integrating Remote Sensing and Geographic Information System to study the crop suitability in Lopburi Province

In 1992 I went to the 13th Asian Conference on Remote Sensing held in Ulaan Bataar, Mongolia. I had already presented a research paper entitled "Environmental and Agricultural Development Studies by Remote Sensing Techniques in Phattana Nikhom District, Lopburi Province, Thailand" in another symposium so I did not have enough materials to write another technical paper. Dr. Shunji Murai suggested a special talk about my country so I talked on the topic "A Glimpse of Thailand".

In the evening, I attended a social function hosted by the conference organizer. Participants were asked to present a cultural show from their countries. We Thais did Ramwong Dance with the popular folk song "Loy Kratong". Others including a Mongolian Minister joined in. I had the opportunity both to increase my knowledge in Remote Sensing by viewing the exhibition and the knowledge about the host country. On this visit I wrote a book called "What is Airak?" describing my experiences at the conference and my tour to various places.

My third experience was the 16th ACRS held at Suranaree University of Technology, Nakhon Ratchasima in 1995 in conjunction with the World Tech Exposition. As a Thai, I was very proud that Thailand initiated the Dr. Boon Indrambarya Gold Medals awarded for the first time to two senior Remote Sensing specialists, Professor Dr. Shunji Murai and Dr. Kaew Nualchawee.

Though I am not highly experienced, I can feel that the ACRS have been well organized to support Asian scientists in the field of Remote Sensing and GIS, enabling them to apply their knowledge to develop the further understanding of the world which leads to the happiness and prosperity of the community as a whole.


Finally I wish to congratulate the 20th anniversary of the Asian Conference on Remote Sensing. It is an important step to create the success of the approaching 21st Century.