The Department of Science Service (DSS), under Thailand’s Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI), has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with CATARC Southeast Asia to enhance cooperation in automotive testing, research, and standards development. The partnership aims to strengthen Thailand’s capabilities in supporting next-generation vehicles, particularly electric vehicles (EVs), intelligent connected vehicles, and autonomous driving technologies, while reinforcing the country’s position as a leading automotive hub in Southeast Asia.

Under the agreement, both organizations will collaborate on knowledge exchange, technical training, research initiatives, and the development of testing standards aligned with international requirements. The cooperation will also focus on improving Thailand’s testing infrastructure, laboratories, and certification systems to support advanced automotive technologies, including EV batteries, smart safety systems, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communications, and autonomous driving platforms. By leveraging CATARC Southeast Asia’s expertise in automotive testing and regulatory frameworks, Thailand will be better equipped to meet evolving global industry standards and market demands. 

The partnership is also expected to contribute to workforce development through specialized training programs, researcher exchanges, and joint innovation projects. These efforts will help build a highly skilled talent pool and foster a stronger automotive ecosystem that spans research, testing, certification, and manufacturing. The MOU marks an important step toward enhancing Thailand’s competitiveness in the rapidly growing future mobility sector and supports the nation’s long-term strategy to become a regional center for automotive innovation and sustainable transportation technologies.