Representatives of the Microscopy Society of Thailand (MST) attended the 21st International Microscopy Congress (IMC21), held at the Exhibition Centre Liverpool, United Kingdom, from 31 August to 4 September 2026, with pre-congress events on 30 August. Held every four years, IMC is the largest gathering of the global microscopy community, and this edition drew approximately 2,800 delegates from 47 countries together with more than 100 exhibition booths.
The Society was represented by members of its Executive Committee — Asst. Prof. Dr. Nattapol Chomsaeng, Dr. Chanchana Thanachayanont, Asst. Prof. Dr. Waraporn Piyawit and Asst. Prof. Dr. Witchukorn Phuthong — together with ordinary member Dr. Chanati Jantrachotechatchawan. The delegation presented research findings and took part in the business meetings of MST’s affiliated international bodies.
The plenary hall fills ahead of the IMC21 opening ceremony.
Representing Thailand at the international assemblies
Alongside the scientific programme, the MST delegation joined the meetings that shape microscopy collaboration across the region and worldwide:
- CAPSM Annual General Meeting — the annual meeting of the Committee of Asia–Pacific Societies for Microscopy.
- IFSM General Assembly — the governing assembly of the International Federation of Societies for Microscopy.
- Korea Night, hosted by the Korean Society of Microscopy, which will host the 14th Asia-Pacific Microscopy Conference (APMC14) on 6–10 November 2028 at ICC Jeju, Jeju Island, Korea.
Welcome addresses open the congress programme.
IMC21 welcomed some 2,800 registered delegates from 47 countries.
Research presented by MST members
- Oral presentation — “Spatial registration for 3D correlative microscopy of scaffolds”, presented by Asst. Prof. Dr. Witchukorn Phuthong.
- Poster presentation — “L12 persistence and sigma phase suppression in cobalt-free AlxCrFeNiCu high entropy alloy”, presented by Asst. Prof. Dr. Waraporn Piyawit.
Promoting MST44 to the global community
During the congress the Society promoted its own forthcoming meeting, MST44 — the 44th International Conference of the Microscopy Society of Thailand, to the international research network. Themed Imaging Science for Global Impact, MST44 will be held on 29–31 March 2027 at the Oakwood Hotel & Residence, Si Racha, Chonburi, Thailand.
MST44 is announced to IMC21 delegates from the main stage.
Looking ahead
Organisers also announced IMC22, to be held in Berlin, Germany, on 23–29 August 2031, marking the centenary of the electron microscope and a century of modern microscopy. Before then, the Asia-Pacific community will convene at APMC14 in Jeju in 2028.
APMC14 will be held at ICC Jeju, Korea, on 6–10 November 2028.
Dates for your diary
- MST44 — 29–31 March 2027, Si Racha, Chonburi, Thailand
- APMC14 — 6–10 November 2028, ICC Jeju, Korea
- IMC22 — 23–29 August 2031, Berlin, Germany
Photographs courtesy of the MST delegation to IMC21.