Dark Sky Star Party

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Stargazing parties—also known as astro-tourism—are gaining popularity in many countries, including Thailand. These experiences take travelers into designated Dark Sky areas where the stars are clearly visible.

Globally, Dark Sky Reserves are becoming a serious focus, as rising light pollution disrupts ecosystems and wildlife while also interfering with astronomical observation. Thailand is no exception, facing a rapid loss of naturally dark skies across the country.

In 2020, the National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand (NARIT) launched the Dark Sky Reserve Thailand project to promote stargazing, reduce light pollution and energy use, and support astronomy-based tourism. Areas seeking certification must meet specific criteria.

These include at least 100 square meters of open space, an unobstructed sky view of 70% or more, and effective light management covering direction, color temperature, and timing. The area must be free of stray light, with a sky darkness rating of no less than 19 magnitudes per square arcsecond. Visitors should be able to see Polaris and faint stars or prominent celestial objects with the naked eye. The site must also provide basic astronomy education and full visitor amenities—roads, restrooms, accommodation, restaurants, and electricity access.

Today, about 30 certified Dark Sky Reserves exist across Thailand, grouped into four types: national parks, community-based reserves, privately owned areas, and suburban zones. These certified sites offer eco-tourism experiences, astronomy activities, and sky conservation education—generating tourism, employment, and income for local communities

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Thailand’s Biggest Annual Stargazing Festival

In early March, the National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand (NARIT), in collaboration with Khao Yai National Park, the Khao Yai Tourism Association, Pak Chong Astronomy Club, and the Tourism Authority of Thailand, hosted the annual Dark Sky Star Party 2025 at the Khao Rom viewpoint campsite in Khao Yai National Park.

Khao Yai National Park was officially certified as a Dark Sky Park in 2024. While its exact darkness level has yet to be precisely measured, it’s estimated at level 3–4 on a scale of 1 to 10—dark enough to see the Milky Way with the naked eye.

On the day of the event, light rain fell from early morning and only began to ease around 5 p.m., raising concerns among eager stargazers. But as night fell, the sky gradually cleared, and tiny stars began to appear one by one. Though occasional clouds drifted by, they caused little disruption.

The scene was unlike a typical party—filled with people who shared a fascination with the cosmos. As the sun dipped behind the hills, darkness slowly wrapped around the gathering. Only soft red lights marked the boundaries of the giant 60-meter stargazing circle. This specific lighting, certified not to interfere with night vision, gently illuminated walkways and allowed participants to navigate without affecting their view of the stars.

A look inside the stargazing circle revealed a spectacular sight—dozens of telescopes, likely more than 50, lined up in formation. They came from NARIT, astronomy network schools, local clubs, and amateur astronomers. Each scope attracted a steady line of curious adults and children eager to take a peek at the night sky.

That night, guests had the chance to observe a variety of celestial objects: a crescent moon on its first waxing night, Jupiter, Mars, and Venus, along with deep-sky wonders like the Orion Nebula, the Pleiades star cluster, and a trio of galaxies—M65, M66, and NGC 3628—in the Leo constellation. The famous Bode’s and Cigar galaxies (M81 and M82) in Ursa Major were also on display.

Beyond the red-lit perimeter, rows of tents stretched across the field. Some guests lounged in front of their tents chatting under the stars, while others turned in early—resting up to catch a glimpse of the Milky Way in the early morning hours.

A little further from the main circle, activity booths offered fun and creative experiences for all ages. Highlights included a Glow in the Dark garden under a Stars & Planets theme, a dazzling glow forest installation, light painting sessions, DIY Stellar Light Boxes—custom-made glowing constellations to take home—and binocular viewing stations that revealed constellations in crisp detail. These interactive zones left stargazers with unforgettable memories.

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Astronomy Sparks Curiosity and Integrative Thinking

That night, we spoke with Khun Jack—Supharerk Karuehanon, Director of Academic Services and Science Communication at NARIT, shortly after his engaging stargazing talk that brought knowledge, smiles, and laughter to the crowd.

At 43, Khun Jack explained that every Dark Sky Star Party includes astronomy talks as part of NARIT’s public outreach. These sessions introduce basic stargazing concepts and aim to spark curiosity—especially among children and youth. Through astronomy, young minds begin to ask questions, explore the night sky, and use tools and technology to seek answers—developing scientific thinking in the process.

“Sometimes we weave humor into the lessons—through stories, jokes, or short tales—to draw people in,” said Khun Jack. “For example, when teaching time-telling skills, we show kids how to measure angular distance between stars. If they know how far apart the stars are in degrees, they can calculate the time.”

“The Earth rotates 360 degrees in 24 hours. That means every hour, the stars shift 15 degrees. So, if a star has moved 15 degrees from its previous position, one hour has passed. If it moves 30 degrees, that’s two hours, and so on. It’s a simple way to apply classroom math to real-world stargazing.”

“How did ancient stargazers tell direction, date, and time without compasses, clocks, or calendars?” Khun Jack explained. “They relied entirely on observing celestial objects—primarily the stars.”

“One day was measured from one sunrise to the next. A month was based on the phases of the moon—about 15 days from new moon to full moon, and another 15 days back to new moon. That’s 30 days, or one lunar month. As for the year, they observed the Sun’s movement across the 12 zodiac constellations. Whichever constellation the Sun passed through would indicate the current month.”

“To know which constellation the Sun is in, wait until sunset and see which constellation appears first in the night sky. The one directly behind the Sun—still hidden in the glare—is the current zodiac sign. For example, if Aries is the first to appear after sunset, the Sun must be in Pisces, meaning it’s March.”

“The Sun moves roughly one degree per day, and each zodiac constellation spans about 30 degrees. So, the Sun takes about a month to pass through each one.”

As the night sky grows increasingly dim due to light pollution, children’s interest in astronomy continues to shine brighter. From years of hosting stargazing events, NARIT has found that young minds are showing growing curiosity.

“More and more kids today are becoming fascinated by the stars,” said Khun Jack. “It starts with learning the basics—understanding the wide-angle view of the sky: what planets, stars, and constellations are out there, and where to find them. Once they spot those tiny dots with the naked eye, seeing the details through a telescope brings a whole new level of excitement.”

“They get to observe the Moon’s rugged surface, Jupiter’s swirling storms, Saturn’s rings, Mars’ icy poles, and the colors of different stars—orange, yellow, blue—all of which reveal their temperatures. This experience often sparks their desire to learn more and inspires them to explore science through astronomy.”

“Astronomy is one of the earliest gateways to scientific learning. It’s where kids naturally start integrating science with math—laying the foundation for critical thinking and discovery.”

Khun Jack shared how astronomical phenomena can shape critical thinking. Take, for example, a sudden flash of light in the sky—commonly known as a meteor or shooting star. In the past, such lights might have been mistaken for UFOs or seen as bad omens.

“But when we explain the science behind it,” he said, “people begin to understand that these events occur when objects enter our solar system, and Earth’s gravity pulls them in. As they burn up from friction in the atmosphere, we see them as streaks of light.”

“So now, when someone sees a flash in the sky, they’re more likely to think of meteors or perhaps space debris burning up—rather than jumping to conclusions about aliens or disasters. That’s the power of scientific literacy.”

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A New Kind of Tourism That Brings Income to Local Communities

Beyond conserving energy and minimizing environmental impact, dark sky tourism also adds value to local areas by generating income for communities, Khun Jack explained.

“For example, when we held the stargazing festival at Pha Taem National Park, we looked at visitor numbers and spending. According to provincial data, just one night of activities generated over 3 million baht in local circulation.”

This model encourages overnight stays, which in turn boosts spending on accommodation, food, drinks, and local goods. Communities not only benefit from the tourism flow but can also showcase and sell their own products—making astronomy tourism a meaningful way to support local economies.

According to Khun Jack, the ideal stargazing season in Thailand runs from November to late March. These five months mark the high season for astronomy tourism, with cool weather and clear skies offering optimal conditions.

After March, however, the weather tends to shift. Based on past data, the chances of stargazing are often disrupted by summer storms, air pollution from agricultural burning, and rising PM2.5 levels due to dry soil and heat. As the air grows hotter and hazier, the stargazing experience becomes less enjoyable.

That’s why a cool, comfortable climate with clear, unpolluted skies is key to a truly magical night under the stars.

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Khao Yai: Host of Thailand’s Biggest Stargazing Festival

Ananpol Sudsap, 38, Director of NARIT’s Nakhon Ratchasima Regional Observatory, shared the success behind this year’s event—now in its third edition. The first two festivals were held at Pha Taem in Ubon Ratchathani. This year, with the Korat Observatory marking its 10th anniversary in November 2024, Khao Yai was chosen as the host site.

“Khao Yai had everything we needed,” he explained. “The Khao Yai Tourism Association took the lead, and the Pak Chong Astronomy Club—a private group with advanced telescopes and strong public engagement—provided essential support. We had the people, the equipment, and the experience.”

The response was overwhelming. While 1,600 people registered online, the park reported over 2,000 tent requests across several campgrounds—from Lam Takhong to Pha Kluymai. Some even drove in just to stargaze and left afterward.

“This was the largest stargazing festival ever held in Thailand,” Ananpol proudly declared.

“The joy of stargazing is really the joy of finding stars,” Ananpol said. “Even in the early evening, before the sun had fully set, someone shouted, ‘I see Venus!’ and everyone else was like, ‘What? Already?’—and rushed to spot it. That’s part of the fun.”

“When people hear the term star party, they might think of loud music or dancing. But it’s not like that. It’s quiet, peaceful. People gather around their telescopes. Those who bring their scopes set them up like it’s a meetup. It’s a different kind of travel experience—something that’s actually common abroad, held once or twice a year, with hundreds of telescopes lining the field.”

When asked what stargazing ultimately leads to, Ananpol explained that astronomy serves as an entry point into science—particularly the practice of logical, evidence-based thinking.

“We’re not trying to turn every child who looks at the stars into an astronomer or a scientist,” he said. “What we want is to help them develop a scientific mindset—one grounded in reasoning. Not everything should be believed just because it’s shared online. Take the myth that lime soda can cure cancer—people in older generations still forward that. But today’s kids? They’re starting to think differently.”

“Our goal is to help build a society that values reason and critical thinking.”

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Astronomy: A Starting Point for Lifelong Skills

Charin Amthaisong, 48, an astronomy teacher at Prathai School in Nakhon Ratchasima, has led the school’s astronomy club for 11 years. With strong experience organizing stargazing events across Nakhon Ratchasima and other provinces—such as Roi Et and Sa Kaeo—he shared insights into how the club operates.

“Our astronomy club runs outside of class hours and is 100% voluntary. There are no grades, no assessments. Every student who joins does so out of genuine interest,” he said. “That said, we still have to select members carefully. If the group gets too large, we can’t give everyone the attention they deserve.”

“Astronomy knowledge is just one part of the experience,” Charin emphasized. “Our goal isn’t to turn every student into an astronomer. What matters more are the skills they gain along the way.”

“When our club organizes camps at other schools, the students take on the role of presenters. They practice public speaking, leadership, and teamwork. It’s not about everyone becoming astronomy experts—it’s about gaining valuable life skills through the process.”

“Collaborating with other schools also gives them a chance to exchange ideas, build connections, and grow in many different ways.”

Kritsadakorn Senphimai, a 16-year-old 10th grader from Prathai School’s Astronomy Club in Nakhon Ratchasima, discovered his passion for stargazing after joining the school’s astronomy camp.

“It started when I went to a camp at school,” he said. “At first, I didn’t think much of it, but when I really looked up and saw the stars, I realized how beautiful they were. They’re always there—we just don’t notice.”

“Now I’ve learned how to use telescopes, assemble some models, and even locate stars roughly on my own. My favorite constellation? Orion—because he’s got some cool features,” he said with a grin. “I’d love to invite my friends to try stargazing too. Stars can teach us a lot. For example, if you’re lost in the forest, you can use stars to find your direction. The Little Dipper and Big Dipper help you find north—and once you have north, you know where everything else is. Unless, of course, the clouds are in the way,” he laughed.

If you’ve never tried stargazing, we highly recommend visiting a certified Dark Sky Reserve. It’s a kind of travel that offers both joy and insight—and leaves you feeling truly fulfilled.

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