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The International Journal of the Royal Society of Thailand

Volume XVI-2024 (Special Issue)

(Royal Gazette, 2015) At present, there are 56 fellows and 27 associate fellows in the Academy

of Science (data on 15 June 2025). (Note: Correct these figures before publication!)
The Academy of Science, Royal Society of Thailand is the first academy of science in

Thailand. The fellows and associate fellows are distinguished scientists in the country together
with three important duties: 1) research and disseminate knowledge for the benefit of the

country and the citizens; 2) collaborate and exchange knowledge with other international
societies; and 3) provide opinions and suggestions for the government regarding academic

issues. (Royal Gazette, 1934)
The Royal Institution plays an important role in education for the benefits of the country

in all fields of knowledge, including science. King Rama V gave royal grants to students with
best performance to study abroad to return as experts in their fields. Many served as teachers

such as Phraya Phadung Witthayaserm, Phra Phaderm Witthayasoong, etc. Subsequently,
the recipients who studied in science, returned to be instructors in universities. For example,

Professor Mom Chao Ratchadaphisek Sonakul (1892-1949), fellow of the Royal Institute of
Thailand, was the first president of the Science Society of Thailand (1948-1949). Professor Luang

Prawat Vorawitchukaree (Mom Luang Prawat Isarangkul), fellow of the Royal Institute of Thailand,
was the second president of the Science Society of Thailand (1949-1950). Professor Lieutenant

General Phya Salwidhannidhes (Aab Raktaprachit), fellow of the Royal Institute of Thailand,
was the first president of the Academy of Science, Royal Institute of Thailand (1934-1944 and

1980-1988), the third president of the Science Society of Thailand (1950-1969), and president
of the scientific branch of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization,

UNESCO) (1959-1973). Other fellows of the Royal Institute of Thailand worked in government
sectors. Mom Chao Laksanakara Kasemsanta was the chief of the botany division, department

of agriculture (1931) and then Director of the agriculture department (1956) and later on
a specialist and inspector general of the Ministry of Agriculture (1960). Phra Udom Pittaya

Bhumpichan (Udom Lertvanich) was the first Thai geologist. Phraya Prakit kalasat (Runchit
Kanchanavanich) was an engineer who built the train track to the south and thereafter

Director of the post and telegraph department (1928), instructor of the Faculty of Engineering,
Chulalongkorn University (1932), and eventually the first dean of the Faculty of Achitecture,

Chulalongkorn University (1939-1949). Dr. Toa Laphanukrom was an associate fellow of the
Royal Institute of Thailand who received grant from Prince Mahidol and graduated with PhD

in chemistry at Bern University, Switzerland. He then started his career as a chemist and
subsequently head of the pharmacy division, Chulalongkorn University, the first director of the

science department, and acting minister of the Ministry of Economy. Unfortunately, he passed

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