National —
In a groundbreaking move, Thailand is venturing into the realm of space exploration with plans to establish its own spaceport. The initiative, spearheaded by caretaker Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha, aims to propel the country’s technological capabilities and stimulate economic growth across multiple sectors, potentially creating more than 400 job opportunities for Thai citizens.
Announced on August 6th, 2023, this spaceport project signifies Thailand’s commitment to becoming a determined player in the global space industry, according to PM spokesperson Tipanun Sirichana.
Preliminary findings suggest that Thailand possesses geographical advantages, making it an ideal place for hosting a spaceport. These include its equatorial location, facilitating energy-efficient launches, as well as accessible logistics systems and minimal vulnerability to natural disasters.
Tipanun stated that PM Prayut emphasizes the importance of a cautious approach towards this project, considering both economic viability and environmental impact. The establishment of a spaceport holds significant promise, not only for the country’s technological progress but also for direct income generation and wider career opportunities for new generations from the aerospace industry.
TPN media notes that as a project spearheaded by the current caretaker government, it could be examined and reviewed by any new incoming government that is still not settled due to ongoing legal action and delays, as seen here.
