Thailand Eyes Space: Collaboration & Future Opportunities

Thailand is taking its first steps toward participating in the global space economy, a sector projected to be worth $2 trillion within the next decade. A recent forum, “Bringing Thailand to Space: will thailand go to Space?” held November 14, 2024, brought together government officials, researchers, adn media representatives to discuss the nation’s ambitions and challenges in this emerging field. The event, hosted by Thai PBS in collaboration with leading space and science organizations, signaled a coordinated push to define Thailand’s role – and potential benefits – in the rapidly expanding opportunities beyond Earth.

Thailand is actively exploring its potential in the burgeoning space economy, hosting a recent forum to discuss the nation’s ambitions and future direction in the sector. The “Bringing Thailand to Space: Will Thailand Go to Space?” event, held November 14, 2024, brought together key players from government, research, and media to examine opportunities and challenges.

Thai PBS, in collaboration with the National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand (NARIT), the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA), the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA) SPACE Education, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Spaceth.co, and other partners, organized the event to foster knowledge sharing and inspire greater public engagement with space technology.

Claire Pachimanant, Director of Thai PBS World, opened the event, stating, “As a public media organization, this is the first time Thai PBS World has organized a space-related event of this kind. Our goal is to inspire and create a platform for various agencies to exchange knowledge.” She emphasized the network’s commitment to connecting Thailand to the global stage and promoting science, technology, and space-related knowledge within the country.

Nattawat Hongkanjanakul, Director of the Space Economy Promotion Bureau at GISTDA, expressed his organization’s enthusiasm for participating in the forum. “Space is a mission that GISTDA has been continuously pursuing for over 25 years,” he said. He also highlighted the consistent support Thai PBS has provided to GISTDA’s mission, particularly through regular news coverage of space-related topics.

“Space initiatives aren’t driven by the public or private sectors alone; the media plays a crucial role in driving progress,” Hongkanjanakul added. “If all sectors collaborate, Thailand’s advancement in space development at the international level can become a reality.”

Nattanon Duangsuknern, Co-founder and Editor-in-Chief of Spaceth.co, underscored the importance of media in cultivating public interest and awareness of space. He noted the growing number of space-focused media outlets in Thailand, including podcasts, online programs, and offline events, reflecting a clear increase in public engagement.

Dr. Viphu Rujopkar, Director of NARIT, posed a critical question regarding Thailand’s space ambitions: “When we talk about Thailand going to space, we must ask ourselves why and what our ultimate goals are.” He emphasized the significance of the space economy, which is projected to be worth $2 trillion in the next 10 years, and the need for Thailand to secure a share of the global supply chain.

“How do we ensure that Thailand can participate, even if it’s just 1% or 2%, in the global supply chain of the space economy?” Dr. Viphu asked. “That is the ultimate reason for going to space.”

The event featured a range of exhibits from leading organizations, including NARIT’s planetarium and science experiments, GISTDA’s satellite technology and space missions, and NSTDA’s collaborative projects with JAXA. Thai PBS World also hosted interactive activities and showcased its media outreach efforts.

Attendees also had the opportunity to participate in technical workshops, such as “Zero-G Flight: Behind the Scenes of Experiments in Weightlessness” and a space situational awareness simulation by NARIT. A “Space Journalism: How to Write Space News in the Age of AI” workshop addressed the evolving role of media in covering space exploration. Showcase sessions covered topics like astronomy, space missions, space communication, and the economic opportunities within the space sector, alongside a Sci & Tech Movie Show exploring the science behind popular space films.

“Bringing Thailand to Space” represents a significant milestone in the country’s efforts to advance its space capabilities and raise awareness of the potential benefits of space technology. The event underscored the power of collaboration between various sectors and highlighted the opportunities that space presents for Thailand’s future economic growth and technological development.

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