Experience “Xue Long 2”, Icing Breaker Polar Research Vessel, First Shown in Thailand

     Captain Jakaphan Suwansawat, Chuk Samet Pier, Sattahip Naval Base with Professor Dr. Pairash Thajchayapong, Executive Committee and Secretary of the Information Technology Foundation under the Initiative of HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, Asst.Prof.Dr.Rawin Raviwongse, President, National Science Museum -NSM have welcomed Mr.Xiao Zhmin, Captain of Xue Long 2 polar research vessel and his crew, on May 19, 2025 at Sattahip Naval Base. The Xue Long 2; polar research vessels has visited Thailand to celebrate the 70^th Birthday Anniversary of HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn (April 2, 2025), and the 50^th Anniversary of China-Thailand Diplomatic Relationship. The Xue Long 2 has opened and welcomed the people to visit it, during May 19-23, at Chuk Samet Pier, Sattahip Naval Base, Ampoe Sattahip, Chonburi province. 

     Prof.Dr.Pairash revealed “The arrival of the Xue Long 2 is associated with the celebration of 70^th Birthday Anniversary of HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn; on April 2, 2025, and the 50^th Anniversary of China-Thailand Diplomatic Relationship. This has been a good opportunity of Thai scientists, researchers, youth, and people to exchange knowledge and experiences with a leading team of Chinese scientist who got an expertise of polar exploration. The special activities also arranged in this event are: an exhibition on “Xue Long 2 and See the Unseen in Polar Region", during May 14-25, 2025 at Crystal Court, 2^nd floor, Siam Paragon, a talk with scientists who travelled in the Xue Long 2 for polar mission with Thai youth audience, a seminar on “Thailand-China Polar Science Conference”, and a farewell ceremony of the Xue Long 2. During its docking at Chuk Samet Pier, the crew will visit Nong Nuch Garden, Pattaya to touch Thai art and culture.”

    Prof.Dr.Pairush added “The event had been supported by many private and public organizations, such as Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Thailand, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Royal Thai Navy, Ministry of Natural Resource and Environment, National Science Museum-NSM, Chulalongkorn University, TCP Business Groups, Chinese Artic and Antarctic Administration-CAA and Polar Research Institute of China-PRIC. The event has portrayed the close co-operation between China and Thailand in science and technology as well as both countries’ relationship.” 

     Asst.Prof.Dr.Rawin, NSM said “NSM’s mission is to foster and create the science society, particularly encouraging the Thai youth to have more knowledge and experience from international research communities. In this event, NSM has arranged an exhibition on “Xue Long 2 and See the Unseen in Polar Region” during May 14-25, at Siam Paragon, and May 20-23 at Chuk Samet Pier, to communicate the scientific world of polar. The audience will understand the polar research through the Thai researchers ‘mission and China’s modern technologies employed for exploration of the polar. The aim of the activity is to raise an awareness of the importance of polar towards our ecosystem and daily lives, and related technologies.  After this, the exhibition will further arrange at NSM Science Square @the Street, Ratchada, Bangkok for whom missed out the show. In addition, NSM and the Information Technology Foundation have arranged a Research Show by Naturalist 2025 on “Miracle of Polar”. In the schedule, the scientists who joined the royal initiative polar research project have communicated their experience and create an inspiration through their research projects for the youth. The event has been held on the 3^rd Saturday of month from January to the year end.”    

    Captain Xiao Zhimin said “the Xue Long 2 is the fourth polar research ship of China, and the first domestically, entirely built in China. It is a moderate ice- breaker ship with modern highest capacity of the world equipped with two- direction of ice cutting for 1.5-meter thickness of ice. Travelling with a speed of 2-3 knots, it can travel smoothly across the ice in many directions. The underwater bow is specially designed to be strong enough to hit and climb on ice sheets, with the pressure helping to break up the ice so the ship can move forward.’ 

     The ship has 122.5 meters long, 22.3 meters wide, a draft of 12 meters, and a displacement of 13,990 tons. It can accommodate a total of 90 passengers: a crew of 40 and 50 researchers. The Xue Long 2’s primary mission is to support polar research in wide range of fields, including global climate change, marine science, atmospheric science, geology and geophysics, ecology and biology, and environmental studies, both short and long plans. The ship also plays its key performance in transporting scientists, researchers, instruments, and equipment, as well as transporting supplies, food, fuel, and construction equipment to the China’s research stations at both the North and South Poles. At present, China has several research stations at the South Pole, including the Great Wall Station (1985), Zhongshan (1989), Kunlun (2009), Taishan Camp (2014), and the latest Qinling (2024) and Yellow River Station (2004) at the North Pole. Over the years, the Xue Long 2 has supported the operation of these stations.”

    “Xue Long 2 is regarded to be one of the world’s most advanced intelligent survey vessels, equipped with a variety of sensors, covering a wide range of surveys and providing a variety of facilities. It has been installed state-of-the -art computer technology for both operational and research data processing. The ship is also designed with Selective Catalytic Reduction-SCR clean technology to reduce polar emissions, which are above normal level.” He spoke.