Proceedings of the Workshop - United Nations Office for Outer ...

________________________________________________________________________Thailand’s Space Policies and LegislationNipant ChitasombatSpace Law And Policy CentreFaculty of law Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, ThailandIntroductionSpace technology, which emerged in the 1950s, opened up a new era of man’sexploration of outer space. Having developed rapidly for about half a century, mankind’s spaceactivities have scored remarkable achievements, greatly promoted the development of socialproductivity and progress, and produced profound and far-reaching effects. Space technology hasturned out to be one field of high technology that exerts the most profound influence on modernsociety.The continuous development and application of space technology has become an importantendeavour in the modernization drive of countries all over the world.I. ObjectivesThailand has long regarded space application as an integral part of the State’scomprehensive development strategy, and upheld that exploration and utilization of outer spaceshould be for peaceful purposes and for the benefit of the whole of mankind. As a developingcountry, Thailand’s fundamental tasks are to develop its economy and to continuously pushforward its modernization drive.The aims and principles of Thailand’s space activities are to utilize outer space forpeaceful purposes, promote mankind’s civilization and social progress for, the benefit of thewhole of mankind, and to meet the growing demand of economic construction, national security,science and technology development and social progress, protect Thailand’s national interests andbuild up the comprehensive national strength.Thailand carries out its space activities in accordance with the following principles:• Adhering to the principle of long-term, stable and sustainable development andmaking the development of space activities cater to and serve the State’s comprehensivedevelopment strategy. The Thai government attaches great importance to the significantrole of space activities in implementing the strategy of revitalizing the country withscience and education and that of sustainable development, as well as in economicconstruction, national security, science and technology development and social progress.The development of space activities is encouraged and supported by the government andthe private sector as an integral part of the State’s comprehensive development strategy.• Actively promoting international cooperation, Thailand relies on Space Technologyimport on the basis of mutual benefit and reciprocity.• Selecting a limited number of targets and making breakthroughs in key areasaccording to the national situation and strength, Thailand carries out its space activities132