Walailak Uni Installs Thailand’s Second 13m Radio Telescope

Pictures courtesy of MGR

Walailak University, in collaboration with the National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand (NARIT) and the Shanghai Astronomical Observatory, has installed Thailand’s second VGOS (VLBI Global Observing System) radio telescope. The “Walailak 13-Metre Radio Telescope” will measure tectonic plate movements with precision under one millimetre. The facility will also support research in geodesy and geology within Thailand.

The installation took place on 25 September 2025 at Walailak University’s Smart Farm Centre in Nakhon Si Thammarat. The project was attended by Professor Dr Somboon Thamrongthanyawong, President of Walailak University, Dr Wiphu Rujopakarn, Director of NARIT, and Associate Professor Dr Warit Jojit, Vice-President of Walailak University, alongside astronomers and geologists from the university.

The telescope is housed in a dedicated observatory tower with a control building and accommodation for staff and researchers. It is part of a network of VGOS radio telescopes worldwide and will work alongside the first Thai VGOS telescope in Chiang Mai. This network will enhance the ability to forecast and prepare for natural disasters with far greater accuracy.

Dr Wiphu explained that the telescope will measure tectonic plate movement with a precision of 0.1 millimetres per year. This will contribute to geodetic research, enabling scientists to monitor shifts in the Earth’s crust and support disaster preparedness. The data collected will integrate with global VLBI networks to strengthen international research collaborations.

Professor Dr Somboon stated that the telescope will serve as an important learning centre for students, researchers and staff interested in geodesy and geology. It will provide high-quality data for NARIT and offer hands-on opportunities for academic study and research within Thailand.

The VGOS telescope uses Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) technology, which processes radio signals from space sources such as quasars across multiple telescopes. This method delivers extremely high positional accuracy, down to the millimetre level, and has broad applications in astronomy and Earth science.

Looking ahead, the Walailak 13-Metre Radio Telescope is expected to contribute significantly to Thailand’s scientific infrastructure. Its operation will strengthen national and international research capacity in astronomy, geodesy and geology while serving as a practical training hub for future scientists.

Key Takeaways

• Walailak University has installed Thailand’s second VGOS 13-metre radio telescope for geodetic and geological research.

• The telescope will measure tectonic movements with an accuracy of 0.1 millimetres per year.

• It will integrate with a global network of VLBI telescopes to enhance disaster preparedness and research.

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  Adapted by Asean Now from MGR 2025-09-28