Ancient potteries found at Ban Muang Bua, located in northeastern Thailand, associate with Thung Kula Ronghai culture. Most of them are products used in daily life and grave goods. The potsherds were examined using techniques based on X-ray spectroscopy. Elemental composition and morphology were analyzed using proton-induced X-ray emission spectroscopy (PIXE) and scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS). Three-dimensional analysis was performed using X-ray tomographic microscopy based on synchrotron radiation (SR XTM). Irregular plate-like particles of composites with a wide range of size distribution were found in the potsherds. The major (O, Si, and Al), minor (C, Fe, Ca, and K), and trace elements (P, S, Ti, Na, Mg, and Zn) which were observed can provide the information about raw materials and production of pottery. The 3D tomographic images show the internal feature of these samples. The combination of SEM-EDS, PIXE, and SR XTM is a powerful tool for archaeological research especially in terms of composition and internal structure. The results imply that the raw materials of pottery were sandy soil derived from marine sands, clays, and salt deposits that were mostly iron-rich-kaolin clay. The production was carried out with low firing temperatures (~600–900 °C) in open-air kilns.

It is known that X-rays spectroscopy has been developed to apply to many advantages. In this work, Scanning electron microscope coupled with energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer (SEM-EDS) and synchrotron radiation facilities, such as micro-beam X-ray fluorescent spectroscopy (µ-XRF) and X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) have been carried out to study on impregnated activated carbon samples that have been used as a chemical warfare agent adsorbent in military protective equipment. The elemental composition and distribution of sample surface have been analyzed. Their microstructures were highly porous. The results showed a detection of many kinds of metals, especially chromium (Cr), iron (Fe) and copper (Cu) with different from elemental distribution. It was also detected Cr(VI) which was a carcinogen in some samples. It is proposed that these methods can be used as fingerprint to identify various types of adsorbent.

In ancient time, it is well known that glasses have been used in ornament and decorative objects in Thailand for several hundred years as implied by archaeological evidences such as glass beads and decorative glasses. In this work, the blue and red colored glass beads selected from the Hor-Ek archaeological site in Nakhon Pathom province (central Thailand) have been characterized chemical composition using a scanning electron microscope coupled with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) and a particle induced X-ray emission spectroscopy (PIXE). Cu-K-edge XANES (X-ray absorption near edge structure) of the selected samples is also carried out in fluorescent mode in order to determine the oxidation state. The results showed that the beads are all the LMHK-based glass (low magnesia, high potash). The red and blue tonalities are affected by copper with different oxidation states, and/or the summation of copper and cobalt. The shape and composition of these ancient glass beads are similar to those collected from other four sites in southern Thailand such as Khlong Thom, Phu Khao Thong, Nang Yon, and Thung Thuk and the foreign countries such as India, China, and Vietnam. These detailsindicate the long-distance trade and exchange network in ancient maritime.

It is well-known that asbestos such as asbestosis and mesothelioma is a fiber causing lung diseases. Talc is used for commercial applications for example paints, plastics, papers, ceramics, construction materials, and cosmetics. It is well-known that the cosmetic talc powder is used for preventing diaper rash as a deodorant. The sampling in this work has been done from various commercial products in Thailand. Their microstructure and elemental composition are analyzed using a scanning electron microscope coupled with an energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer (SEM-EDS). A small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and infrared spectroscopy (IR) based on synchrotron radiation are also carried out to determine their phase composition and functional groups. It has been found that fibers with asbestos-like shapes are present in some samples. The main composition of oxygen, silicon, and magnesium in samples are in the form of the functional groups that associate with absorption band in the range of 3600-3700 cm ^-1 of IR spectra. It is proposed that there are 6 from 17 samples that possibly have asbestos contamination.

Rice is the food staple for most of the world’s population especially Asians. It is also the essence of life of people in Thailand. Archaeological evidence based on the paddy rice reveals the rice planting in northeastern Thailand over 5,000 years ago. The burnt rice grains have been found in many archaeological sites in Thailand, which are involved with the religious ceremony and home prosperity. In this work, the synchrotron radiation has been applied to investigate the elemental distribution, chemical composition and bio-molecular structure, and three-dimensional segmentation of the ancient burnt rice samples from Nakorn Nayok (Ban Dong Lakon), Suphan Buri (U-Thong), and Prachin Buri (Sri Mahosot) using micro-beam XRF (SR μ-XRF), Infrared spectroscopy (SR IR), and X-ray tomographic microscopy based on synchrotron radiation (SR XTM), respectively. Field emission scanning electron microscope (FE SEM) incorporated with energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS) have been carried out in order to characterize the structure and composition of samples. It has been found that the grains are oblong in shape with a rough surface. Major elements in the grains are C, Si, Ca, and Al. Other trace elements such as Ti, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, and Zn are also detected. The IR spectra provide some information about molecular bonds. The tomographic investigations reveal the internal structure of ancient burnt rice.

Commercial products such as cosmetics, paints, plastics, papers, and construction materials contain talc powder. It is reported that talc powder contributes to