In response to the growing interest from regional testing stations in obtaining formal accreditation under the Asian and Pacific Network for Testing of Agricultural Machinery (ANTAM), a study tour was held from February 28 to March 2 in Bangkok and Kamphaeng Saen, Thailand. The tour was co-organized by the Centre for Sustainable Agricultural Mechanization (CSAM), which serves as the ANTAM secretariat, and Kasetsart University College of Engineering, which manages the Thai National Agricultural Machinery Center (NAMC).

The study tour featured a series of activities aimed at supporting the successful accreditation applications of testing stations within ANTAM, as well as gathering feedback on accreditation criteria. During the first part of the tour, approximately 20 participants from testing stations in nine ANTAM member countries attended the twelveth Asia-Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development (APFSD), which included a mechanization-related event. The participants then traveled to Kamphaeng Saen, where they were welcomed by Prof. Somchai Donjadee, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering at Kasetsart University Kamphaeng Saen Campus, home to the NAMC.

Building on NAMC's positive engagement with ANTAM over the past two years, including hosting an ANTAM Regional Training and participating in the interlaboratory round robin testing exercise for the ANTAM Code on Power Tillers, participants visited the testing facilities and observed key test items such as the engine test, drawbar test, and waterproof test. They also received training on managing testing stations according to the ANTAM Quality Manual, shared their countries’ perspectives on legislative regulations concerning agricultural machinery testing and accreditation, and discussed the technical and administrative implications of the ANTAM Codes.

The study tour included presentations on Thai legislative and administrative regulations and concluded with discussions on testing and management issues identified during the visit and the round robin exercise. Representatives from participating testing centers and the local agricultural machinery association shared their suggestions and feedback to support the accreditation process and improve the NAMC testing station and the ANTAM initiative overall.

Following the study tour activities, the CSAM secretariat and ANTAM Technical Reference Unit observed the performance and equipment for the noise and vibration tests, and discussed with the Kasetsart University counterparts on the next steps for the accreditation of NAMC, and other opportunities for collaboration.