Preface

ASIMMOD 2007 is our second attempt to set up International Asian collaboration research findings in simulation and modeling. This conference had duly follow our very first “SIMMOD 2005” in Bangkok led by our eminent engineer, Prof. Dr. Voratas Kachitvichyanukul and his team from Asian Institute of Technology This time our venue is in Chiang Mai and all activities led by Prof. Dr. Benchaphan Ekasingh and her group from Chiang Mai University.

The purpose for Thai conference is still the same i.e. to encourage the use of simulation and modeling in public and private decision making in Thailand and Asian countries. The emphasis is still integrated resource management towards sustainable livelihood and environment. The conference also denotes the great achievement of our great King Bhumibol who spends most of his time using modeling and simulation to create many significant development projects in order to upgrade his people toward better living condition. It is also concurrently denoted two auspice occasions i.e. the commemoration of His Majesty King Bhumibol sixty years ascendance to the throne and His forthcoming 80 th birthday anniversary. Our Sage Monarch has been a symbol of perseverance and self-sacrifice for generation of Thai people, and he has touched the lives of more people than any other monarch in Thailand’s history.

This conference draws three keynote speakers from three continents i.e. Australia, Asia and Europe. Also there are papers from African and American continents, in fact, it is a round up of the whole world for the conference. Special thanks to many people and organizations, without them we would not be able to put up a strong program as it is. To mention a few, Prof. Dr. Anthony Jakeman from Australian National University who actually inspire us to set up this kind of international conference, Dr. Somjate Pratummintra for his effort in pursuing for a financial assistance from Department of Agriculture, Prof. Dr. Benchaphun Ekasingh for her assessment of the papers and arrangement of the meeting schedule. To all the authors who send in articles and come for the meeting and last but not least to many people behind the scene who made this conference possible.

I sincerely hope that we will benefit a great deal from this conference. We will get to know and learn from each other, exchange and share between us for the benefit of mankind and the world as a whole. So to be exact, we are following the footstep of our beloved King of Thailand and his untiring effort in pursuing for the betterment of his people and sustainable environment.

Prof. Dr. Santhad Rojanasoonthon
Chairman of the Organizing Committee
ASIMMOD 2007, Chiang Mai, Thailand