September 6-8, 2023，International training workshop on “Increasing Capability on Drought and its prediction at S2S time scale”(INCAP2023) was held successfully in Thailand. The training workshop was jointly held by ICCES, CAS-TWAS network for sustainable development and Hydro-Informatics Innovation Division, Thailand. Dr. Patamawadee Pochanukul, Director of Thailand Science Research and Innovation (TSRI), Dr. Royboon Rassameethes, Director of Hydro-Informatics Innovation Division(HII), Prof. Zhaohui LIN, Director of ICCES co-chaired the opening ceremony and delivered speeches.
Dr. Patamawadee Pochanukul, Director of TSRI, spoke highly of the training workshop in her opening speech, pointing out that this training workshop has strengthened Thailand's scientific and technological capabilities in coping with climate change, and helped promote the application of drought-related scientific research results in Thailand's hydrology, agriculture, and other fields. Dr. Royboon Rassameethes, Director of HII pointed out that the training provides capacity building in the field of hydrological information for young Thai researchers and students, and is an important part of Thailand's scientific and technological talent training program. She also reviewed the long-term cooperation and fruitful results between HII and ICCES in cooperative research, capacity building training and other aspects. Prof. Zhaohui LIN expressed appreciation for the organization committee and HII’s efforts on preparation this workshop, pointing out that the INCAP series were jointly organized under the framework of the bilateral cooperation memorandum between China and Thailand, and the two sides have successfully held two INCAP training workshops in 2019 and 2022. Prof. Lin also stressed that S2S climate prediction is an important means to cope with extreme weather and climate disasters caused by climate change, hoping that this training can provide students with professional knowledge in this field, improve their knowledge and understanding of S2S prediction, and provide a cooperation network platform for young scholars in Thailand and other Southeast Asian countries.
The three-day training consisted of eight presentations and on-site training activities. The workshop invited experts from China and Thailand to give lectures on the spatio-temporal evolution characteristics, occurrence and development mechanism of drought, drought monitoring and S2S prediction, as well as drought management and response. Prof. Jian LING from the Institute of Atmospheric Physics, introduced different drought prediction methods on the S2S time scale, the uncertainty of drought S2S prediction techniques, and the important role of MJO in the formation and development of drought. Dr. Chenglai WU of ICCES introduced the application of CAS-ESM in drought forecasting in Southeast Asia. Dr. Victor Dike of ICCES introduced the characteristics of the historical evolution of drought based on observational data and the progress of its mechanism. In addition, the training workshop also invited Dr. Lin TIAN, a senior engineer of the National Satellite Meteorological Center to introduce the drought monitoring technology based on Fengyun satellite and its application in Thailand and other Southeast Asian regions. Dr. Soravis Supavetch from Kasetsart University, Thailand, Dr. Piyamarn Sisomphon. In addition to the in-house training, the workshop also organized a field study to Suphan Buri to learn early warning systems and water management for drought in Suphan Buri.
This training workshop attracted more than 90 participants from 28 universities, scientific research and governmental departments in Thailand, including Chulalongkorn University, Chiang Mai University, Srinakharinwirot University, Kasetsart University, National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand and other scientific research institutions, as well as the Meteorological Bureau of Thailand, the Ministry of Mineral Resources of Thailand, the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation and other business departments. In the training, the trainees listened carefully and actively asked questions. The 3-day training enhanced their understanding of S2S prediction and increase their scientific research and business ability.
Opening ceremony
Group photo
Lectures gave presentations
Learning drought warning and water resources management system in Suphan Buri.