Thailand
Minister’s insistence Thailand’s moon mission will go ahead sparks social media debate
Debate is raging on social media following a claim from the Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, that Thailand’s plan to orbit the Moon is going ahead. Anek Laothamatas adds that it will be “mission accomplished” within the next 7 years, costing, “only 3 billion baht”.
A report in the Bangkok Post says that, according to Anek, Thailand will be producing satellites weighing 50–100 kilograms within 5 years, and in the following 3 years, will start building spaceships capable of going beyond the Earth’s orbit. He says we can all look forward to an official announcement on January 13.
“The new economy of space travel will be a way for Thailand to overcome the economic effects of the Covid-19 pandemic and then to escape the middle-income trap, and the ministry will embrace creativity and innovation.”
Anek’s announcement has sparked debate on social media, with some saying the poverty and other social issues facing their fellow countrymen should take priority. Others defend Thailand’s right to develop a space exploration program in line with what other countries are doing. Here’s two opposing views shared on Twitter:
“Children living in mountainous areas still have to navigate treacherous terrain, wade through water and cross bridges to go to school. 3 billion baht can do a lot to solve current problems.”
“Other countries have already sent people to the moon, what are we doing? When we (Thais) plan to do it, critics ask why? I am waiting to see the reaction when electric vehicles are produced in Thailand.”
“Let’s see, critics who complained that we didn’t promote electric vehicles will soon begin to ask what the government plans to do with petrol vehicles and hybrids and that people will lose their jobs”
However, in the 2 weeks since Anek originally announced his ambitious plans for Thai space exploration, the response on social media has been mostly cynical.
Missions to the Moon have been conducted by these countries (in order)… the Soviet Union, the US, Japan, the European Space Agency, China, India, Luxembourg, and Israel. The Moon has also been visited by 5 spacecraft not dedicated to studying it; 4 spacecraft have flown past it to gain gravity assistance, and a radio telescope, Explorer 49, was placed into selenocentric orbit in order to use the Moon to block interference from terrestrial radio sources.
The Soviet Union were the first to have a spacecraft reach the Moon in 1959 and then have a spacecraft successfully land in a controlled landing in 1966. The US were the first to send manned missions to the Moon from 1969 to 1972. China recently sent a probe to the moon and successfully returned with 2 kilograms of moon soil and rock samples it collected during an unmanned 48 hour mission on the Moon.
Thailand has never successfully launched a rocket into space, let alone manage a mission to the Moon. On the other hand they do have a worthy history in land-based rocket launches as a kick start to any future ventures.
SOURCE: Bangkok Post
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Thailand’s broadband internet speed is ranking number 1 after a speed test was conducted in December of last year. It’s ranking climbed 2 spots from the previous speed test out of 176 countries by the Speedtest Global Index, beating out the stiff competition.
Singapore and Hong Kong are now at 2nd and 3rd place according to the test, which is measured monthly. The test uses millions of data from real people who use Speedtest tools. The test was developed by Ookla, which is a Seattle, Washington headquartered company that has pioneered fixed broadband and mobile network testing apps, analysis and data. Despite the tests being originated by a US company, the US ranks 10th on the list.
Thailand clocked an average fixed broadband speed of 308.35 megabits per second for downloads last month, beating out Singapore for the top spot. It ranked 3rd in November 2020. The global average fixed broadband speed was 96.43 megabits per second for downloads and 52.31 megabits per second for uploads in December.
On his Facebook page, Digital Economy and Society Minister Buddhipongse Punnakanta attributed the top ranking to the country’s fast development of telecom infrastructure and competition by local operators.
After AIS Fibre entered the market in 2015, it sparked more rivals to join in the race to install fibre optics for internet services, a move that replaced the older technology of ADSL network. AIS Fibre is a home broadband unit of mobile operator Advanced Info Service.
Pisut Ngamvijitvong, senior director of the analysis department at Kasikorn Securities says some operators still provide fixed broadband services through the old ADSL technology, but that every year the internet is getting faster and cheaper.
“Triple T Broadband provides around 30-40% of its service on ADSL and True Internet has around 20%.”
Thailand’s fixed broadband service sector has been increasing every year. In 2019, there were 10.1 million household subscribers to fixed broadband services. And, in 2020, the number was estimated at 11 million.
The Speedtest Global Index also ranks the mobile internet speed of 139 countries in which Thailand currently ranks 33rd as of December 2020. It moved up 11 spots in 1 month from November 2020 testing at 51.75 megabits per second for downloads. The UAE and South Korea followed in the rankings with 2nd and 3rd place respectively. The global average for mobile internet speed was 47.2 megabits per second for downloads and 12.67 megabits per second for uploads.
SOURCE: Bangkok Post
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So what’s going on with the new Mor Chana app?
As far as the Thai Government is concerned, it’s part of their fight to track and trace the Covid-19 virus during this current outbreak. More Chana is a contact tracing tool.
In essence, the app will allow you to check in when you go to different locations around Thailand, enter shops and buildings. As guests in the country, expats and travellers here should acknowledge that we have a role and responsibility to play in getting this current situation under control, as well as the Thais.
Of course you are well entitled to decide NOT to download and activate the app but the narrative from the government is that they see More Chana as an important part of their strategy. The app will also alert you when you are entering areas or provinces of potentially high risk. Being alert to these situations is like being alert to any other type of news.
So far, the application has been downloaded more than 3 million times
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Documentation, including your current Covid status and vaccination details, will become 2021’s biggest challenge as governments, businesses, and the travel industry try and re-establish some sort of workable way forward.
Several companies and technology groups are developing smartphone apps or systems for individuals to upload details of their Covid-19 tests and vaccinations, creating digital credentials that could be shown in order to enter public building, sports stadiums, movie theatres, or even other countries.
One is the Common Trust Network, an initiative by Geneva-based non-profit The Commons Project and the World Economic Forum.
The new app will allow users to upload medical data and generate a QR code ‘health certificate’ without revealing sensitive information.
For travel, the app can lists health pass requirements relating to the countries you intend to visit.
The next challenge facing the world after populations become more widely inoculated will be privacy issues and representing the effectiveness of the different vaccines.
Are you worried about privacy? Do you think all countries will require such documentation for travel? How about entering public buildings or shops? Let’s hear your comments below…
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Frank Leboeuf
Saturday, December 26, 2020 at 10:34 am
Aaah, Alternate Space Quanrantine, the ultimate quarantine destination…
brian mc
Saturday, December 26, 2020 at 10:49 am
surely the photo at the top of the story is clear proof theyve already been there and landed. what? converging shadows and multiple light sources? all normal, nasa proved this.
they tried to open a full moon bar there but it wasnt popular…. apparently the atmosphere was terrible
Pasta Pasta
Saturday, December 26, 2020 at 1:45 pm
I knew I’d find a moon hoaxer here. Six times American astronauts walked on the moon. Twelve men in total. You know where you won’t find a moon hoaxer ? You won’t find one at Roscosmos. The Russians were watching and they know NASA’s moon landings really did happen. ALL SIX OF THEM.
Issan John
Saturday, December 26, 2020 at 7:31 pm
I think your maths is flawed …
Pasta Pasta
Sunday, December 27, 2020 at 7:19 pm
No, Issan John, my math is not wrong. What specifically are you disagreeing with? Apollos 11,12,14,15,16,and 17 all successfully landed crews. Two men walked on the moon each time. 6 and 12 is correct.
brian mc
Sunday, December 27, 2020 at 2:18 pm
theres a really interesting video by american statement analyst peter hyatt. he did an analysis of an interview between patrick moore and armstrong. well worth a shufty.
it was a follow-up after his fantastic analysis of the mccanns… also worth a butchers
billyjones
Sunday, December 27, 2020 at 4:11 pm
haha why would you rely on the Soviets? Don’t forget the Americans let the Soviets conquer all of eastern europe in ww2 and they provided them with support and munitions even before they supposedly entered the war. You don’t find anything unusual about the Soviets invading Poland shortly after Germany yet no war was declared on the Soviets. Wake up.
Pasta Pasta
Monday, December 28, 2020 at 12:56 am
Haha, so you think all six moon landings were faked. No way the second best space program in the world was in cahoots with NASA. That’s a weak argument. The footprints are there,and NASA left 3 cars on the moon from Apollo 15,16,and 17. Deal with it.
Issan John
Saturday, December 26, 2020 at 12:00 pm
“only 3 billion baht” … and “the response on social media has been mostly cynical”!
That must be one of Ed V’ s understatements of the day.
Absurd toys for the boys, along with submarines, aircraft carriers and Gold Lines.
Dreamon
Saturday, December 26, 2020 at 4:24 pm
A window licker like you must be excited, you are a dictatorship supported, why aren’t you celebrate?
Issan John
Saturday, December 26, 2020 at 7:32 pm
Only in your dreams, Dreamon.
preesy chepuce
Sunday, December 27, 2020 at 4:13 pm
Thai space stuff is usually built for them by Airbus, and they get training jollies out of it in Surrey and Toulouse. One of the potential income streams they are after is mobile internet using constellations of cubesats. Unlike military equipment, space equipment has a commercial dimension.
Toby Andrews
Saturday, December 26, 2020 at 1:01 pm
Going broke and going to the moon.
They really have a big opinion of themselves.
What about the $50 billion Kra Canal they were going to build?
They are just out of the rice fields, and foreign investment and a crooked export business makes the think they are going to the moon.
Yogibaer
Saturday, December 26, 2020 at 7:29 pm
Not forget the Bridge Pattaya-Huahin…Thailand has a bright Future…??
Yogibaer
Saturday, December 26, 2020 at 3:38 pm
Thailand has a Long Tradition of constructing rockets….
I m Sure there are enough Experts to find in Yasothon?
Mrs armstrong aldin
Saturday, December 26, 2020 at 5:20 pm
I see no reason why a tuktuk can not be adapted for this small step. If mr musk can do it no reason mr somchai can not either.
Jason
Saturday, December 26, 2020 at 6:19 pm
Ok….maybe spend the money on your people…3 billion baht could go a long way right now 🙂
John
Saturday, December 26, 2020 at 8:56 pm
NASA = 1960’s we sent a man to the moon
NASA = 2019 we still haven’t figured out to navigate the Van Allen radiation belt with manned spacecraft.
Bobby B
Saturday, December 26, 2020 at 11:39 pm
A quick poll.
If you won the lottery and are about to book your space flight, who do you choose…
A. Space X, Elon Musk
B. Virgin Galactic, Richard Branson
C. Siam Rockets, Thailands Minister of Higher Education
Why, Thailand, why…
Ipaddressfunnycolors
Sunday, December 27, 2020 at 2:36 am
I went “too the moon” last week. The coffee and food were good. its in bkk next to the river
Chuck W
Sunday, December 27, 2020 at 1:14 pm
Interesting. I just got back from The Rocket on the Mars. Coffee not so good though.
crispy
Sunday, December 27, 2020 at 2:45 am
Militaries everywhere excel at doing what theyre told,but left on their own have little idea where to go.
Example: the military who decided to go to the moon.
See what I mean?
crispy
Sunday, December 27, 2020 at 2:55 am
Militaries everywhere excel at doing what theyre told, but left on their own have little idea where to go.
Example: the military who decided to go to the moon, abandon their golden goose the tourism industry, mostly ignore the needs of a vast population with tongues hanging out in the middle of a pandemic, the country’s wealth going into projects dictated by the CCP, not spotting the glaring deficiencies and opportunities in its education systems.
See what I mean?
Roger C
Sunday, December 27, 2020 at 3:43 am
Hey John (not Issan John), your Nasa quotes are lacking in context.