Thailand was accepted as an associate member of SCAR in 2016. It hosted the 2017 Scientific Committee Antarctic Research (SCAR) Astronomy and Astrophysics Workshop (the 4th SCAR AAA 2017) in Chiang Mai, Thailand, on 31 July – 4 August 2017. Thailand is not a country with a natural interest in cold climate research, nor is it geographically close to the Antarctic. It, however, has a population of approximately 70 million, with a rapidly growing industrial and technological economy. It is essential that Thai people are aware of Antarctica, learn about its scientific research value, and thus expand opportunities for Antarctic research. Professor James (Jim) Madsen from the University of Wisconsin – River Falls is also on the steering committee for the SCAR Astronomy and Astrophysics in Antarctica Scientific Research Program and is an associate director of the IceCube Neutrino Observatory (https://icecube.wisc.edu/), responsible for education and outreach. He invited Dr. Waraporn Nuntiyakul (project head of Antarctic research in Thailand) to give a presentation at SCAR AAA 2017, Chiang Mai, Thailand. We discussed for many days during that time to build long-term collaboration on research in Antarctica of Thailand. We had an excursion in the afternoon of Wednesday, 2 August. The excursion time is from 1.00 – 8.30 p.m. Points of interest are Thai National Observatory, The high holy relics pagoda, The summit of Doi Inthanon, and dinner at The Royal Agricultural Station around there. After the meeting ended, we had the opportunity to go up to the summit of Doi Inthanon mountain to visit the Princess Sirindhorn Neutron Monitor.
Astronomy and Astrophysics Antarctic Research in Thailand
This AAART group would open a new opportunity for polar science research or Antarctic research in Thailand.
