Numerous Thai scientists have made significant contributions in various fields of science and technology. Examples include Krisana Kraisintu, who is known as the "Gypsy pharmacist" for her development of the first generic HIV "cocktail" drug known as GPO-VIR.[162][163] Her efforts have significantly reduced treatment costs, and GPO-VIR was endorsed by the World Health Organization as the first regimen treatment for HIV/AIDS patients in poor countries.[164] In Thailand, GPO-VIR is used in the national HIV/AIDS treatment programme, making it free of charge for 100,000 patients.[165] Another example is Pongrama Ramasoota, who developed the production of therapeutic human monoclonal antibodies against dengue virus and the world's first Dengue fever medication, which also includes DNA vaccine development for dengue and Canine parvovirus.[166]
Thailand has also made significant advances technology in the development of Medical Robotics. Medical robots have been used and promoted in Thailand in many areas, including surgery, diagnosis, rehabilitation and services.[167] In surgery, in 2021, Mahidol University's "BART LAB" team successfully researched the invention of the robot-assisted surgery (Minimal Invasive Surgery).[168] back in 2019, The Medical Services Department has unveiled Thailand's robot created to help surgeons in brain surgery on patients afflicted with epilepsy.[169] back in 2017, Ramathibodi Hospital, a leading government hospital in Bangkok and a reputable medical school, successfully performed the first robot-assisted brain surgery in Asia.[170] For rehabilitation and therapy robots, were developed to help patients with arm and leg injuries perform practiced movements aided by the robots is the first prize winner of the i-MEDBOT Innovation Contest 2018 held by Thailand Center of Excellence for Life Sciences (TCELS).[171]
According to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics, Thailand devoted 1% of its GDP to science research and development in 2017.[172] Between 2014 and 2016, Research and development workforce in Thailand increased from 84,216 people to 112,386 people.[173] Thailand was ranked 43rd in the Global Innovation Index in 2021[174][175][176][177] The Thai government is developing new growth hubs by starting with the Eastern Economic Corridor of Innovation (EECi) to accelerating human resource and research development.[178] The National Science and Technology Development Agency is an agency of the government of Thailand which supports research in science and technology and its application in the Thai economy.[179]
By December 2020 with 308.35 Mbit/s Thailand had become world leader in terms of Internet fixed broadband internet speed, with Switzerland and France in Europe in positions 5 and 8 respectively, with the US at position 10 with 173.67 Mbit/s.[180]