Shaiwatna Kupratakul

Shaiwatna Kupratakul is a Thai theoretical physicist. He is a scientist, educator, writer, translator, columnist, science communicator, producer and host of radio and television programmes. He focuses on science communication and the popularization of science through writing, radio and television media and public speaking. Kupratakul was nominated twice for the UNESCO Kalinga Prize in 1981 and 2004.

Since returning to Thailand, Kupratakul has worked as a lecturer, university administrator, and educational development project committee member or leader. He has also written non-fiction and fiction works with the aim of educating people in the area of science. He met Isaac Asimov in New York in November 1977, and Arthur C. Clarke at Colombo, Sri Lanka, in February 1980. In 1977, Kupratakul visited Princeton, Albert Einstein's last residence. His science writing is inspired by Isaac Asimov, Arthur C. Clarke, Jules Verne, H.C. Wells and Juntri Siriboonrod (จันตรี ศิริบุญรอด); the last of whom was proclaimed "Father of Thai Science Fiction."

Kupratakul worked in the Department of Physics, first at Khon Kaen University from 1970–1982, and then at Srinakharinwirot University (Prasarnmit) from 1982–1999. He retired in 1999, but continues to give talks at universities, schools and for the public. He also write articles and science fiction (both short science stories and science novels), hosts radio and television programmes, and serves as a committee member of several academic and national Councils.

Kupratakul has hosted, produced, or served as commentator for several radio programmes, in Khon Kaen (1970–1982) and in Bangkok (since 1982). These programmes were usually focused on science communication and involved direct interaction with audiences.

On television, Kupratakul has hosted, co-hosted, or produced programmes at Khon Kaen national television station (Channel 5 Khon Kaen), 1970–1982, and in Bangkok starting in 1982.. These television appearances are also focused on communicating and popularizing science to the general public.

Kupatakul's major research interests are the energy band structures of noble metals, the pressure effects of noble metals on the energy of band structures, and solar energy. His Ph.D. thesis was titled, "The Electron Band Structures Calculation of Gold By The APW Method". His Ph.D. research was published in 1969–1970 (see external links).

Kupratakul married Shusri Chulusthira in 1968. They have a son (Juckrich) and a daughter (Chollada). He remarried Sansiri Chairat in 1999.

Kupratakul was born to Sheng Hiang, an herb doctor, and Siew Tiang, in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand, on 20 September 1940. He received his primary education (Prathom 1-Prathom 6, 1949–1953) at Tesbaln 1 School (Boorapa Vidhakorn) and his secondary education (Mathayom 1-Mathayom 8, 1953–1961) at Ratchasima Vidhyalai School, both in Nakhon Ratchasima. He attended Chulalongkorn University at the Faculty of Science for one-and-a-half years, from 1961–1962. In 1962, Kupratakul won a Columbo Plan scholarship, from the Australian Government, to study physics in Australia. He graduated with a BSc (Honours) in Physics from Monash University in 1966, and a PhD (Physics), also from Monash University, in 1970.