Prof. Dr. Thanaruk Theeramunkong
ศาสตราจารย์ ดร.ธนารักษ์ ธีระมั่นคง
Educator | AI Researcher | Academic Leader | Mentor
Prof. Dr. Thanaruk Theeramunkong is a Professor at the Sirindhorn International Institute of Technology (SIIT), Thammasat University, whose career has been dedicated to advancing artificial intelligence, developing people, and connecting academic research with meaningful societal impact.
For more than two decades at SIIT, he has contributed to education as a lecturer, researcher, academic advisor, and mentor to students at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels. His work reflects a belief that education should go beyond transferring knowledge: it should develop curiosity, critical thinking, professional capability, and the confidence to solve real-world problems.
Education and Academic Foundation
Prof. Thanaruk received his education in Japan through competitive scholarships. He earned a Bachelor of Engineering in Electrical and Electronic Engineering, followed by a Master of Engineering and Doctor of Engineering in Computer Science from the Tokyo Institute of Technology, Japan.
Following his doctoral studies, he worked at the Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (JAIST) before joining SIIT, Thammasat University, where he has built a long-standing academic career in teaching, research, international collaboration, and institutional development.
His experience in both Thailand and Japan has strongly influenced his approach to education – combining academic rigor, international perspectives, collaboration, and continuous learning.
Research and Academic Expertise
Prof. Thanaruk is widely recognized for his work in Artificial Intelligence and intelligent information technologies, particularly in:
- Natural Language Processing
- Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence
- Data Mining and Knowledge Discovery
- Text Mining
- Information Retrieval
- Information Extraction
- Knowledge Science and Engineering
- Intelligent Information Systems
His research spans both fundamental and applied AI, with collaborations involving researchers, students, universities, government organizations, and industry partners in Thailand and internationally.
Beyond producing academic research, he has consistently focused on building environments in which younger researchers and students can learn how to conduct high-quality research, work across disciplines, and translate knowledge into practical applications.
Royal Society of Thailand
Prof. Thanaruk was appointed a Fellow of the Royal Society of Thailand in the field of Information Technology, Engineering Discipline, Academy of Science.
The appointment reflects his sustained academic and professional contribution to information technology, artificial intelligence, research, education, and the development of the field in Thailand.
Building Research Communities
Prof. Thanaruk has played an important role in developing research communities within Thammasat University and beyond.
He founded the Intelligent Informatics and Service Innovation Research Center (IISI) at SIIT and has contributed to the development of centers and networks in intelligent informatics, speech and language technology, digital technology, and emerging AI innovation.
He currently contributes as an advisor to initiatives including AI-NEXT – Hub of Talents in AI and Innovation Next, which brings together researchers, universities, government agencies, and industry to strengthen Thailand’s capabilities in advanced AI research, innovation, infrastructure, and human-resource development.
His academic work has also been recognized nationally. He received the National Outstanding Researcher Award in 2014, together with numerous academic, research, publication, and innovation recognitions.
Leadership in Thailand’s AI Community
Prof. Thanaruk played a founding role in establishing the Artificial Intelligence Association of Thailand (AIAT) and served as its first president from 2015 to 2024.
Through AIAT, he helped bring together researchers, educators, professionals, government organizations, and industry partners to exchange knowledge, promote AI education, organize academic and professional activities, and strengthen Thailand’s AI community.
His work with AIAT has included public education, professional training, academic conferences, competitions, industry collaboration, AI workforce development, and national-scale initiatives designed to make AI knowledge more widely accessible.
A Commitment to Teaching and Mentorship
Education has remained central throughout Prof. Thanaruk’s career.
He has taught and supervised students from undergraduate through doctoral levels while working closely with young researchers, lecturers, and professionals. His role as an educator extends beyond the university classroom: he has been involved in creating learning opportunities, professional standards, competitions, scholarships, international programs, and national initiatives that allow learners to develop through practice.
His educational philosophy emphasizes learning by doing. Students should not only understand technology, but also learn how to question assumptions, collaborate with others, communicate ideas, conduct responsible research, and apply their knowledge to challenges that matter.
This commitment has led him to support educational ecosystems that connect universities, government, industry, researchers, teachers, students, and young innovators.
Developing Thailand’s AI Talent
One of Prof. Thanaruk’s most significant contributions to education has been his work in developing Thailand’s next generation of AI professionals.
He initiated the Super AI Engineer Development Program, a nationwide initiative designed to develop AI innovators, engineers, researchers, and entrepreneurs through a combination of foundational education, intensive training, practical projects, industry challenges, hackathons, research, and professional experience.
The program has grown into a nationwide network involving universities, public-sector organizations, research institutions, technology companies, and regional training centers across Thailand.
Rather than treating AI education as classroom instruction alone, the program creates a pathway through which participants can progress from learning fundamental concepts to solving real industry problems, conducting research, presenting innovations, and developing careers in AI.
This reflects a broader goal that has shaped Prof. Thanaruk’s work: to make advanced technology education accessible while creating opportunities for talented people to reach their potential.
Supporting Young Innovators
Prof. Thanaruk has also spent many years supporting young people interested in computing, software development, and technology innovation.
From 2003 to 2022, he led the Central Region activities of Thailand’s National Software Contest (NSC) and subsequently continued contributing as an advisor. The program gives school and university students opportunities to transform ideas into software projects, receive mentorship, present their work, and participate in a national competition.
Through initiatives such as NSC, AI competitions, hackathons, research projects, and Super AI Engineer, he has helped create environments where students learn not only technical skills but also creativity, persistence, teamwork, and problem-solving.
Professional Education and International Standards
His contribution to education also extends to professional development.
Prof. Thanaruk led Thailand’s Information Technology Professional Examination (ITPE) initiative for many years and later continued as an advisor. The program connects Thailand with an international professional IT examination framework and helps develop internationally benchmarked IT capabilities.
He has also been deeply involved in international postgraduate education, including the TAIST–Tokyo Tech collaboration between Thailand’s National Science and Technology Development Agency and leading Japanese academic institutions.
Through these activities, he has helped connect Thai students and researchers with international education, scholarships, research networks, and professional opportunities.
Connecting Thailand with the World
International collaboration has been an important part of Prof. Thanaruk’s academic life.
Drawing on his education and research experience in Japan, he has helped develop academic relationships between SIIT, Thammasat University, Thai research organizations, and universities and research institutions overseas.
His collaborations have included academic networks in Japan, Germany, China, Australia, and other countries, covering student and researcher exchanges, postgraduate education, scholarships, joint research, international conferences, and institutional partnerships.
For Prof. Thanaruk, international collaboration is not simply about connecting institutions. It is a way to expose students and researchers to diverse perspectives, strengthen research quality, and create opportunities for knowledge to cross borders.
Education, Research and Impact
Across his career, Prof. Thanaruk’s work has consistently connected three areas:
Education – developing students, researchers, professionals, and future technology leaders.
Research – advancing knowledge in AI, language technology, data intelligence, and emerging technologies.
Impact – translating academic knowledge into programs, networks, technologies, professional standards, and opportunities that benefit society.
His career demonstrates that the role of a professor extends beyond teaching courses or publishing research. It also involves creating opportunities for others, building communities, connecting generations of learners, and helping knowledge become a force for long-term development.
“Never give up. Have faith in what you do. There is only one choice – make it succeed.”