Chula Launches “Siam Quantum Square” with Programs to Drive the Thai Business Sector towards Quantum Era

Chulalongkorn University has launched the “Siam Quantum Square” with the aim of driving Thailand towards becoming a regional hub for quantum technology. The initiative includes the signing of MOUs with key partners to help transition the country from a technology user to a technology owner, promote an innovation-based economy, strengthen cybersecurity, and enhance national competitiveness. Most recently, the university has joined forces with leading business and academic partners—IBM, the Graduate School, and QTFT—to develop short courses and executive programs aimed at preparing the business sector to adapt to the quantum era.

Prof. Dr. Wilert Puriwat, President of Chulalongkorn University, presided over the launching of “Siam Quantum Square” onMonday, January 26, 2026, on the G floor of Samyan Mitrtown. He stated that “in 2026, Chulalongkorn University has created a new milestone with the launch of Siam Quantum Square, which is considered the largest quantum center in Thailand. “It is intended to serve as a hub for quantum data and development, supported through collaboration with and backing from the public sector, private sector, and leading international universities. This project aims to cultivate scientific ‘innovators’ in Thailand, particularly by empowering scientists and physicists from the Faculty of Science at Chulalongkorn University to develop new innovations to drive the country forward. The center’s operations go beyond traditional textbook instruction, focusing instead on cutting-edge scientific advancements that can be practically applied in real-world contexts.”

“Siam Quantum Square focuses on advancing quantum technology across multiple areas to enhance the quality of life for the public. These include Quantum Machine Learning, Quantum Computing, and Quantum Sensing in its various forms. These scientific developments will be transformed into tangible innovations and practical outputs to maximize societal benefits and improve overall quality of life.”

Prof. Dr. Pranut Potiyaraj, Dean of the Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, opined that“Quantum technology involves controlling the properties and states of particles according to the principles of quantum mechanics in order to develop innovations that benefit the economy, society, and emerging technologies. Today, quantum principles already play a significant role and serve as the foundation of technologies that surround us, such as smartphones, solar cells, and MRI machines used in medicine. Therefore, quantum technology is not as distant from everyday life as many people may think. Moreover, quantum computers represent an advanced technology that applies quantum principles at the highest level to solve complex problems that current computers cannot handle. They also have the potential to break existing digital encryption systems. As a result, quantum computing is becoming a key force in transforming the digital industry and the global economic system.” 

Siam Quantum Square will operate under four core missions: 1) To develop and cultivate personnel in quantum technology; 2) To conduct world-class strategic research, with a strong emphasis on building foundational knowledge that will, in the long term, enable Thailand to develop and truly own its technologies—rather than merely being a user of technology; 3) To foster collaboration among various sectors, including government, private industry, and international networks, in order to promote knowledge exchange and reduce risks from technological restrictions; 4) To communicate knowledge about quantum technology to the general public, ensuring broader understanding and accessibility. The center’s activities receive partial funding from the Reinventing University initiative under the supervision of the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research, and Innovation (MHESI). 

“We will focus on world-class research excellence alongside the application of quantum technology to solve problems in various fields, such as drug development, advanced materials, energy, medicine, finance, and transportation. Examples of quantum technology development already undertaken by Siam Quantum Square include research in Quantum Computing, as well as Quantum Artificial Intelligence (Quantum AI), which integrates quantum computing with artificial intelligence. The center also has plans to expand into other areas, including Quantum Cryptography research to strengthen cybersecurity and the research and development of quantum encryption systems capable of preventing data interception. In addition, we aim to advance Quantum Materials and Devices, developing new materials that can be applied to quantum computers and quantum sensors,” said Prof. Dr. Pranut. 

“Siam Quantum Square also works closely with the Quantum Technology Foundation (Thailand) [QTFT], a Thai quantum startup, on research in Advanced Optimization, with plans to expand into Quantum Optimization research in the future. This will help enhance the efficiency of management systems across various business sectors. In addition, the center has received cooperation from other industry partners, including projects on Portfolio Optimization with Quantum Computers in collaboration with Western Digital Corporation (Thailand). In the near future, there are also plans to secure partnerships with Denso and Japan’s National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST). 

Siam Quantum Square is also committed to building collaborative networks at every level—from academic institutions and domestic industries to global partners. Most recently, it has prepared to sign memoranda of understanding with IBM Thailand, Japan’s National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), and Qunova Computing of South Korea. There are also plans to expand partnerships with several leading private-sector organizations, including Western Digital Corporation (Thailand) and Siam Commercial Bank (SCB), to apply quantum technology in addressing business challenges, data security, medical advancements, and broader societal issues. 

In addition, Siam Quantum Square has developed international master’s and doctoral programs specifically focused on quantum technology. These programs emphasize both theoretical and practical training to prepare students for the emerging global quantum job market. The center is also planning discussions on student and staff exchange programs with the Korea Advanced Institute of Science & Technology (KAIST) in South Korea and the National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS) in Japan. Furthermore, it is ready to collaborate with IBM, the Graduate School, and QTFT to develop short courses and executive programs aimed at preparing Thailand’s business sector for the transition into the quantum era. 

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