King Carl XVI Gustaf visits AIT

King Carl XVI Gustaf visits AIT

His Majesty King Carl XVI Gustaf visited the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) on February 26, 2003 while on a state visit to Thailand at the invitation of Their Majesties the King and Queen of Thailand.

Upon his arrival, His Majesty the King was welcomed by H.E. Mr. Anand Panyarachun, Former Prime Minister of Thailand and Chairman of AIT Board of Trustees; AIT President, Prof. Jean-Louis Armand; Prof. Mario T. Tabucanon, Provost; Prof. Gothom Arya, Registrar; H.E. Mr. Bhuchong Rungroj, Governor of Pathumthani Province; Ambassadors; Members of the AIT Board of Trustees; other dignitaries which included the Executive Vice President of Volvo Sweden; and the AIT Community School children. The King then proceeded to the AIT Conference Center Auditorium to watch AIT's video presentation and to receive a present from the AIT Community.

H.M. King Carl XVI Gustaf is seen being welcomed by H.E. Mr. Anand Panyarachun, Chairman of AIT Board of Trustees, and Prof. Jean-Louis Armand, AIT President. Also in the photo is Mrs. Thanomrak Rungroj, wife of Pathumthani Governor.

The King went to the School of Civil Engineering for the opening ceremony of the Thailand Accident Research Center (TARC), a collaboration between the Department of Highways, Thailand Global Road Safety Partnership (GRSP) and Volvo Car Corporation of Sweden. The Center is based at AIT's School of Civil Engineering and will act as a focal point of research on road safety and will build networks of expert from the public and private sectors (See related story on page 4 of AIT Newsletter Vol. 2 No. 4).

The King toured the campus to view the Civil Engineering laboratory facilities and the Energy & Environment, Aquaculture and greenhouse projects. He also had an occasion to talk to researchers and students along the way.

The King then visited the Asian Center for Research on Remote Sensing (ACRoRS) Laboratory. Before his departure, he met faculty, staff and students involved in Sida (Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency) - sponsored projects and Sida scholarship recipients.

H.M. the King, accompanied by H.E. Mr. Anand Panyarachun and AIT President, receives a warm welcome by AIT Community School's children.

AIT Community School's children eagerly wait for the King.

His Majesty the King discusses with AIT President, Prof. Jean-Louis Armand; Prof. Worsak Kanok-Nukulchai, Dean of SCE, and Prof. Yordphol Tanaboriboon of SCE's Transportation Engineering Field of Study.

His Majesty the King is seen being briefed by Prof. Chongrak Polprasert, Dean of SERD.

His Majesty the King is welcomed by Dr. Thomas Achilles, Agricultural System Engineering Research Specialist (right); and Prof. Vilas M. Salokhe (center) during his visit to SERD.