Thailand to launch environment satellite in November

Thailand plans to launch its first environmental satellite in November to help officials survey natural resources, cope with disasters and even fight drug trafficking, an official said Monday.

The Theos satellite, whose name stands for Thailand Earth Observation Systems, has been under study and construction for two years, according to Thai space official Charnchai Peanvijarnpong.

"The satellite will help us predict the chances of droughts or floods," said Charnchai, who is deputy director of Geo-Informatics at the government's Space Technology Development Agency.

The satellite will be able to monitor food crops but will also help counter-narcotics officials keep an eye on production of opium poppies and other illicit crops, he said.

"It will help state officials in suppressing illegal logging and drugs trafficking, while estimating the size of a number of other crops," Charnchai told AFP.

Several state agencies have already signed contracts to use the satellite's service, including the Royal Irrigation Department, the Office of Narcotics Control Board, the Natural Parks Department and the Defence Ministry, he said.

The project cost about six billion baht (179 million dollars). Work on Theos was done in cooperation with European space company EADS Astrium, he said.
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