The Thai government's plan to build and launch its own spacecraft to travel to the moon and orbit around it has drawn much criticism online.
On Monday, the Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, Dr. Anek Laothamatas, said that Thailand will launch its own space program as early as next month and that within seven years, the Thai government will have built its own spacecraft.
See: Thailand will build its own spacecraft to orbit the moon within 7 years
He added that Thailand will follow other Asian nations such as China, India, Japan and South Korea in sending a spacecraft to the moon.
Dr. Anek made this announcement about Thailand's ambitious plans to fly to the moon during a press briefing on the Covid-19 situation in Thailand and the country's progress towards a possible vaccination.
"Besides the important announcement of the production of the Covid-19 vaccine, we are also proud to announce that Thailand will be the fifth nation in Asia to be able to build a spacecraft and send it into orbit around the moon," he said.
"The Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation and the Thai government will move forward for the future of our country.
The project will forever change the perspective of the Thai people, who now see Thailand not as a developing country but as a country with a future, opportunities, and hope.
However, the plans have been widely criticized by all sectors of Thai society, with those who have commented on the project saying that the government should focus its efforts on more urgent priorities.
Among the critics is the famous Thai singer Pharunyoo "Tack" Rojanawuthitham, who has stated that the money used for the space program should be spent elsewhere.
According to the Sanook newspaper, Tack took to Instagram to ask:
"Before going to the moon, do you want to finish Rama II's route first?"
"Why are we not using the budget for other essential projects?" he added.
Meanwhile, opposition lawmaker Vanvaree Talomsin took to Twitter to demand that the government tackle pollution in the Thai capital instead of trying to fly to the moon.
Other Thais have stated online that the government should focus on helping people who have lost their jobs due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Source: thaivisa.com
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3 comments
Thailand's grandeur, importance, and renown are known and recognized throughout the world, so a space program today... Pollution, waste management, and environmental protection through the construction of low-energy buildings, for example, would be a much greater challenge and in line with the times and aspirations of today's world.
Thailand can't find the money to build the Kra Canal, which would be the foundation of significant economic development (a maritime hub), and is instead embarking on a solo venture…
The canal could be the basis for free trade zones. Industry means jobs; Europeans have only recently grasped this with their dependence on China for manufactured goods.
Spending billions of baht on misplaced national pride and arrogance by certain politicians, while millions of Thais live below the poverty line, on less than 100 baht a day…!!!! With the COVID-19 health crisis since January 2020 and the ensuing economic crisis with its devastating effects that continue to plunge the country into a recession that shows no sign of ending, there are indeed better uses for the money earmarked for this utterly pointless space program, especially at this time. This kind of project is not going to calm the protests or restore harmony between the people and the government…. There are enough national human and social catastrophes that the authorities should be dealing with instead of having their heads…in the clouds!