S1E27: Thailand looks to the stars in bid to woo tourists
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First, the sea, the sand, the shopping. Now add stars to the Southeast Asian country\\u2019s list of attractions as it strives to get creative post-pandemic.\\xa0
\\nSynopsis: Every first Friday of the month, The Straits Times chats with ST\\u2019s correspondents in the Asia-Pacific, the US and Europe, about life as it goes on, amid the screaming headlines and bubbling crises.\\xa0
\\nThailand\\u2019s location near the equator means that one can catch a glimpse of both northern and southern constellations, along with planets, nebulae and galaxies.
\\nAcross Thailand, interest in stargazing has soared, with people extending their trips with jaunts into the countryside where dark skies offer a backdrop for their stars.
\\nThe National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand says more than 10,000 people have participated in its stargazing events since January 2022. It expects half a million visitors, locals and foreigners alike, to its six observatories across Thailand in 2023.
\\nIn this episode, ST\\u2019s foreign editor Li Xueying chats with ST\\u2019s Thailand correspondent Tan Tam Mei about \\u201cdark sky\\u201d tourism.
\\nHighlights (click/tap above):
\\n0:55 Stargazing trend: Tan Tam Mei recounts her trip and experience in the town of Pak Chong, a 2.5-hour car ride from Bangkok
\\n4:55 What kind of tourists is Thailand hoping to attract with these new \\u201castro tourism\\u201d activities? Stimulating domestic tourism for now first
\\n7:30 Post-pandemic tourism strategies besides the \\u201csand, sun, shopping\\u201d model: Thailand\\u2019s attempts to pursue new markets
\\n12:57 Tam Mei on the local community\\u2019s passion for astronomy and astrophotography in Pak Chong
\\nRead Tan Tam Mei\\u2019s article here: https://str.sg/ifSZ
\\nProduced by: Li Xueying (xueying@sph.com.sg), Ernest Luis and Fa\\u2019izah Sani
\\nEdited by: Fa\\u2019izah Sani
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