An MOU signing ceremony between NSTDA and Panus Asssemby Company Limited took place on 4 August 2022. The event was attended by leaders of both parties, including NSTDA President Dr. Narong Sirilertworakul and Panus Assemby CEO Mr. Panus Watanachai.

Panus Assembly is a leading manufacturer of heavy transportation equipment including trucks, trailers and container vehicles and a pioneer of logistic solution. The company has over 50 years of history in the transportation and logistics businesses and over the years has evolved to fulfil the future of transport by stepping into an aviation industry and electric vehicles (EV). For more than 15 years, Panus Assembly has manufactured Ground Support Equipment (GSE) for airports, such as aircraft towing tractors – both diesel and electric types, and airport passenger buses. The company has recently expanded into military industry with the production of military trucks and fleet management service. In keeping up with the EV trend, an EV conversion for commercial vehicles called Panus Drive was recently launched.

NSTDA and Panus Assembly have long been engaged in multiple collaborations, ranging from research and innovation to strengthening logistic industry. Panus Assembly and the Design & Engineering Consulting Service Center (DECC) of NSTDA have been sharing finite element analysis resources for more than 15 years. Five years ago, Panus Assembly and NSTDA Business Incubator Center (BIC-NSTDA) launched Panus Thailand LogTech Award, an annual logistics technology contest. Research collaboration between Panus Assembly and NSTDA covers a vast area from autonomous vehicles to bullet-proof locomotives.

This MOU signifies a new phase of partnership between NSTDA and Panus Assembly to innovate for the future of transport that focuses on low-carbon emission, pollution mitigation and safety. The overall aim is to elevate Thailand’s transport and logistics industry to the next level.

NSTDA President Dr. Narong Sirilertworakul remarked that one of NSTDA missions is to develop technology and innovation for public and commercial uses and therefore the agency is pleased to embark on the partnership with Panus Assembly to drive research commercialization. Two of NSTDA focus centers – National Security and Dual-Use Technology Center (NSD) and Rail and Modern Transports Research Center (RMT) – are key bodies to undertake research collaboration with Panus Assembly. In addition, NSTDA promotes research commercialization through the implementation of Thailand Innovation List, NSTDA Startup Program and NASTDA Holding Company – all of which can serve as a tool to facilitate this partnership.

RMT Director Dr. Ekkarut Viyanit revealed that RMT and the company has been working on an automated driving system for the a 15-seat electric feeder prototype to serve the first-and-last mile connectivity with funding provided by the Program Management Unit for Competitiveness (PMUC), and a project to create a bullet-proof locomotive to put into service in Southern Thailand.

NSD Director Dr. Siwaruk Siwamogsatham revealed that his center is planning to work with the company on two projects. One project involves the development of an electrostatic precipitation apparatus for removing particulate matter in diesel exhaust system. The retrofit device will be designed for trucks and public buses. Another project is the joint investment in the establishment of Alternative Energy Storage Platform for Stationary Energy Storage System – an infrastructure located at the Eastern Economic Corridor of Innovation (EECi) for research and development of new alternative safe battery technologies for commercial and military uses.