Thailand-China Joint Laboratory for Climate and Marine Ecosystem

The OFS project was initiated in 2010 and, later, in 2012, it was approved as a research project called "Development of the Ocean Monitoring and Forecasting System for the South China Sea and Andaman Sea" as a partnership between the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Thailand, and the First Institute of Oceanography (FIO), Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR), People's Republic of China. In 2016, the name was changed to OFS. The project was fully contributed by the China-ASEAN Maritime Cooperation Fund to develop an ocean environment forecasting system in the oceanic area of Southeast Asia as well as to contribute data from the forecasting system.ObjectivesTo develop an ocean environment operational forecast system.To develop a discussion channel on ocean environment forecast for the case of emergency.To collect data needed by the ocean environment operational forecast system and set up a preliminary monitoring system including 3-5 stations.To enhance understanding of key processes and scientific issues in the Gulf of Thailand, Andaman Sea, and its vicinity.To increase the ability of scientists and young researchers on the ocean forecast model.Expected benefitsAnalyses data from the forecasting system can facilitate the provision of early warnings regarding threats to marine ecosystems.Results of the oceanic forecast for the Gulf of Thailand and Andaman Sea up to three days in advance.Improved capacity of Thai experts in oceanography.Enhanced collaboration within the project and the establishment of regional networks for the protection of marine ecosystems and disaster mitigation. 

The research was launched in 2012 as a jointed-program between the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Thailand, and the First Institute of Oceanography (FIO), Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR), People's Republic of China. It investigates modern sediment and evaluates paleo-environment and paleoclimate in the Bay of Bengal, Andaman Sea, and Gulf of Thailand; by implementing findings from various researches concerning a variety of interconnected factors.ObjectivesTo develop monitoring systems and techniques for vulnerability assessment of the coasts and deltas affected by natural processes and human activities.To establish baseline information for the studies regarding maritime risks.To investigate guidelines for management and warning systems based on marine risks.Expected benefitsBetter understanding of the pattern of sediment composition in the major rivers of the upper Gulf of Thailand.Enhanced knowledge in identifying seawater intrusion in the upper Gulf of Thailand.Enhanced comprehension of risks to marine ecosystems that are associated with new sediments and the source of sediments.Increased ability to analyses sediment transport to support the studies on coastal erosion.Improved capacity of relevant officers on coastal management and marine geology.

This research was launch in 2014 as a partnership between the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Thailand, and the First Institute of Oceanography (FIO), Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR), People's Republic of China. It focuses on investigating marine ecosystems and consists of sub-projects i.e., marine ecosystems, coral reefs, genetic studies, and marine endangered species. However, the sub-project on marine endangered species was further developed to the Marine Endangered Species Research under a support by the China-ASEAN Maritime Cooperation Fund. Recently, this collaborative study involves five sub-projects.

This sub-project was conducted since 2015 as a collaborative project between the Department of Mineral Resources, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, the Third Institute of Oceanography (TIO), and the Island Research Center (IRC) under the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR), People's Republic of China. The project aims to investigate various processes happening on the tropical sandy beaches that are related to coastal morphodynamics. It also involves identifying different patterns of coastal geomorphological changes as a result of geological and anthropogenic activities and classifying coastal land use based on geo-oceanography, in order to improve a plan on coastal management and planning.

This project was undertaken since 2008 through a scientific cooperation between the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Thailand, and the First Institute of Oceanography (FIO), Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR), in the People's Republic of China. It aims for the onset monitoring changes of the southwest monsoon, signaling the beginning of the rainy season in Thailand and Southeast Asia region  as well as the variation during the year, by using oceanographic monitoring buoys installed in the Andaman Sea.ObjectivesTo enhance capabilities on ocean observation at the regional level.To study climate variability and changes.To understand the oceanographic processes related to the monsoon cycle and their impacts on the marine ecosystems.To develop guidelines for reducing potential risks from socio-ecological sectors.Expected benefitsBasic knowledge of the monsoon cycle, coral bleaching, and coastal management.Knowledge of oceanographic processes that influence changes in monsoon winds and potential effects on marine ecosystems.Knowledge and information center at the regional level.

The Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO/IOC) Regional Training and Research Center (RTRC) on Ocean Dynamics and Climate (ODC) was officially established under an agreement between UNESCO/IOC and the First Institute of Oceanography (FIO), People's Republic of China during the 8th Intergovernmental Session of UNESCO/IOC Sub-Commission for the Western Pacific (WESTPAC-VIII) in Bali, Republic of Indonesia, on 11 May 2010. ODC is the first UNESCO/IOC regional training center as a cooperation between the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Thailand, and the First Institute of Oceanography (FIO), Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR), People's Republic of China. Thai researchers are consistently encouraged to participate in the trainings.ObjectivesTo increase the capabilities of the officers in oceanographic and climate studies.To improve abilities to implement ocean and climate models in developing oceanographic forecasting systems.Expected BenefitsIncreased capacity of young scientists in oceanography and climate studies.Exchanges of scientific ideas and perspectives between the experts and young scientists.

The research project was established since 2016 under the former name of “Ecological Management Networks for Marine Protected Areas”, as a partnership between the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Thailand, and the Third Institute of Oceanography (TIO), Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR), People's Republic of China. The name was changed in 2019 in order to emphasis the importance of implementing academic knowledge in marine and coastal resources management.ObjectivesTo investigate guidelines for sustainable marine and coastal management using the Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) framework.To develop mechanisms or procedures for sustainable marine and coastal management.

The research was conducted through a collaboration between the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Thailand, and the First Institute of Oceanography (FIO), State Oceanic Administration (SOA), People's Republic of China. It was certified as a sub-project under the Tropical Marine Ecosystem Collaborative Study (TiME) from 2012 to 2015. In 2016, it was promoted to be a main project under the China-ASEAN Maritime Cooperation Fund. The research focuses on enhancing the potential of the studies on the status of marine endangered species and their habitats, particular the major population of marine endangered species in Thailand by implementing advance technologies. Relevant activities include, for instance, a study on dolphin population on the Maiton Island using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs); a study on Irrawaddy dolphins in Songkhla Lake; a study on Bryde's whales in the Gulf of Thailand; a study on dugongs and coastal dolphins in Trang Province; a study on Indo Pacific hump-backed dolphins in Khanom Bay, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province; genetic analysis and heavy metal contamination assessment; sea turtles migration; a training program on marine endangered species rescues; and a development of regional marine endangered species database.ObjectiveTo investigate biological characteristics of marine endangered species and their ecosystems by implementing relevant technologies.To develop knowledge on marine endangered species and to increase the capacity for conservation.To improve data and information on the status of marine endangered species, to conduct habitat assessments, and to investigate problems concerning extinction.Expected benefitsEnhanced knowledge on marine endangered species management in Thailand and the ASEAN region.Establishment of standard procedures concerning marine endangered species by implementing advanced technologies where relevant information is provided for facilitating marine protected areas management as well as rescue centers for marine endangered species.Improved capacity of officers on marine endangered species.Good collaboration among marine endangered species management networks.

The study was conducted as a collaboration between the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, and Prince of Songkla University Hat Yai Campus, Thailand, and the First Institute of Oceanography (FIO), Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR), People's Republic of China, in order to investigate guidelines for developing marine spatial planning for Thailand. Koh Larn, Chonburi Province was a pilot study area. This collaborative study was began as a part of the Ecological Management Networks for Marine Protected Areas (EMPA) project in 2017 and was officially designated as a main research project in 2019. The study area is recently expanded to include Koh Sichang in Chonburi Province, Thailand.ObjectivesTo develop researches and studies on marine spatial planning.To analyses problems and propose measures to address marine spatial issues.Expected benefitsGuidelines for implementing marine and coastal spatial planning in Thailand.Enhanced efficiency in marine and coastal resources management in Thailand.Improved capacity of the officers in marine and coastal resource management.Good cooperation in conducting marine researches between Thailand and the People's Republic of China.

     This cooperation between the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Thailand, and the First Institute of Oceanography (FIO), State Oceanic Administration (SOA) in the People's Republic of China was established in 2017. It was originally a sub-project under the Tropical Marine Ecosystem Collaborative Study, with the objectives of jointly developing standard procedures for sampling and sample analysis in the laboratories in the regional level and investigating types, quantities, and distribution of microplastics in sediments and water column along with the impacts on marine ecosystems. The partnership is expected to contribute to the further development of a marine debris and microplastics management plan.     Subsequently, the project was elevated to a flagship research initiative with the endorsement of the Thailand–China Joint Committee on Marine Cooperation at its 8th meeting on 21 May 2025.ObjectiveTo study the distribution of microplastics in offshore marine areas, providing complementary data to the existing nearshore monitoring program, which is the primary responsibility of DMCR.To investigate microplastic contamination in marine organisms, focusing on key ecological species (flagship species) and economically important species consumed by humans.To conduct a pilot study on hazardous contaminants associated with microplastics in marine organism tissues and the environment.To strengthen the capacity of researchers in marine debris and microplastic monitoring.Expected benefitsDevelopment of a comprehensive database on marine debris and microplastics in offshore areas of Thailand, integrated with the existing “Marine Microplastic Data Integration System” from FIO and “Marine Debris database” by the DMCREstablishment of a scientifically robust national baseline on microplastic accumulation in marine organisms across key regions of Thailand, enabling comparison with international datasets and global studiesThailand ECOP can gain capability and understanding in microplastic research from the Training programStrengthen Thai-China collaboration and expand engagement under the UN Decade of Ocean Science programs