The 2026 Summer Conference of the Korean Society for Railway (KSR2026) was held from 25–27 August 2026 at voco Bangkok Surawong, Bangkok, through a collaborative effort between Chulalongkorn University and the Korean Society for Railway (KSR). The conference served as an international platform for exchanging knowledge, research findings, technological advancements, and professional experiences in railway systems and transportation, while fostering academic and research collaboration among Thailand, the Republic of Korea, and ASEAN member states.

The conference brought together representatives from government agencies and private-sector organizations involved in Thailand’s and the Republic of Korea’s railway sectors. Participating organizations included the Department of Rail Transport (DRT) and the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA). Academic institutions represented at the conference included Chulalongkorn University, the University of Phayao, and Mahidol University, while international organizations from the Republic of Korea included the Korea Railroad Research Institute (KRRI), Korea Railroad (KR), and KORAIL.

The Automotive and Transportation Technology Center (ATTC) School of Engineering University of Phayao, sent a delegation of researchers and research assistants who are graduate students enrolled in the Master of Engineering and Doctor of Philosophy programs in Railway Engineering and Technology. The participants represented a diverse range of organizations, including the State Railway of Thailand, CH. Karnchang Public Company Limited, Italian-Thai Development Public Company Limited, MAA Consultants Co., Ltd., Alstom (Thailand) Limited, P & C Management Co., Ltd., and TEAM Consulting Engineering and Management Public Company Limited.

The delegation participated in KSR2026 and presented research findings conducted under the Thachawit Program, with financial support from the Program Management Unit for Human Resources & Institutional Development, Research and Innovation (PMU-B). During the conference, Dr. Suparerk Bupasiri, Senior Analyst and representative of PMU-B, attended and observed the research presentations delivered by all scholarship recipients.

The University of Phayao delegation presented six research papers out of a total of 44 papers presented at the conference, addressing critical practical challenges encountered in the field during the construction of the Den Chai–Chiang Rai–Chiang Khong Double-Track Railway Project. The research covered three key thematic areas: Bridge Engineering & Infrastructure Reliability; AI, Digital Technologies & Emerging Planning Tools; and Tunnel Engineering, Geotechnics & Emerging Infrastructure.

All six presentations formed part of the research undertaken through the Thachawit Railway Systems Program at the University of Phayao. Beyond contributing to international academic and professional networks, the research provides opportunities to translate knowledge, technologies, and research-based solutions into practical applications for enhancing transportation and logistics systems in Northern Thailand. These efforts are aligned with the strategic development objectives of the Northern Economic Corridor (NEC) and contribute to strengthening Thailand’s national railway capabilities and long-term infrastructure competitiveness.