Thailand Expands Quantum Partnerships With Qunova and AIST
Thailand’s entry into quantum technology is unfolding primarily through Chulalongkorn University, which has recently signed two significant memoranda of understanding (MoUs). The first, dated September 7, 2026, is with South Korea’s Qunova Computing for quantum computing.
The second, reported through Japan’s National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) Global Research and Development Center for Business by Quantum-AI Technology (G-QuAT), is with AIST itself, focusing on wider quantum technology.
These agreements highlight a clear strategy for Southeast Asian countries like Thailand to engage with quantum technology without developing their own hardware.
Thailand has adopted a cloud-first approach, which enables researchers to access quantum hardware remotely. This strategy is coordinated by Chulalongkorn’s Siam Quantum Square (SQ²), launched in January 2026 within the Faculty of Science, and both new agreements are routed through it.
The Qunova Agreement
Specifically, the three-year MoU with Qunova outlines three main objectives: joint seminars and conferences, exchanges of researchers and personnel, and collaborative research projects in quantum computing. Professor Dr. Wilert Puriwat, President of Chulalongkorn University, signed on behalf of the university, whereas Dr. Jaewan Kim, Qunova’s Chief Product Officer, signed for the company.
This collaboration focuses on hybrid quantum algorithms for industrial R&D, which aligns with Qunova’s commercial interests. Though there are no public deliverables or funded milestones yet, the agreement signifies intent, supported by SQ² and prior workshop participation from Qunova and KAIST researchers.
Puriwat described this as Thailand’s first “Thai Quantum Partnership,” aiming not only to utilize external tools but also to “develop our own quantum chips.” This latter ambition, however, currently lacks a defined budget or program.
The AIST Agreement
The AIST MoU has a broader scope, covering general quantum technology, human resource development, and ecosystem building between Thailand and Japan over five years. Professor Dr. Pranut Potiyaraj, Dean of the Faculty of Science, signed for Chulalongkorn, and Dr. Masahiro Horibe, Deputy Director of G-QuAT, signed for AIST.
This agreement, according to an SQ² release, primarily grants Thai researchers access to AIST’s quantum computing infrastructure, a key component of the cloud-first strategy. Horibe emphasized workforce development, stating that the next five years are critical for building the global quantum technology market and industrial ecosystem. Pranut acknowledged Thailand’s late entry into the field and the current shortage of qualified personnel, highlighting the MoU’s role as a training pipeline.
The AIST signing event included representatives from Japanese industry (DENSO, Fujitsu, OptQC) and Thai organizations (NXPO, TSRI, NSTDA, National Institute of Metrology), which indicates state-backed support for this collaboration.
About Qunova
Qunova Computing, based in Daejeon, South Korea, is a quantum software developer with ties to the KAIST School of Quantum Science. Its focus is on high-accuracy variational quantum eigensolver variants and error-mitigated algorithms for noisy intermediate-scale quantum (NISQ) hardware. The company reports 11 to 50 employees, according to TQI’s profile. Independent funding details and customer information are not publicly available.
Qunova’s specialization in software aligns well with Thailand’s cloud-first approach, where algorithms are provided by partners while hardware is accessed remotely.