China has inaugurated its first overseas next-generation radio telescope in Chiang Mai, northern Thailand, marking a significant milestone in international scientific cooperation and enhancing global Earth observation infrastructure. The 13-metre radio antenna, a joint development between the Shanghai Astronomical Observatory and the National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand, was officially unveiled on 16 May.
This advanced telescope is part of China’s broader initiative to expand its global scientific footprint. It will operate in tandem with a second telescope currently under construction in Songkhla, southern Thailand. Once operational, the two stations will strengthen capabilities in deep-space tracking and high-precision Earth monitoring. These developments are expected to contribute to improved GPS accuracy, enhanced climate research, and more precise earthquake forecasting.
Ding Chibiao, Vice-President of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, hailed the Chiang Mai telescope as a “role model of scientific cooperation between China and Thailand”. Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Ding emphasised the significance of the telescope’s launch, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations.
Supachai Pathumnakul, Permanent Secretary of Thailand’s Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, highlighted the project as a testament to the deepening scientific partnership between the two countries. He noted its potential to deliver high-quality data that will support global research initiatives.
The collaborative effort began in 2017 with a memorandum of understanding, though construction and activation were delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The telescope successfully captured its first signal in August 2023, and by April 2024 had completed a 24-hour observation session. The data collected met the required precision benchmarks and contributed valuable information on Earth’s rotational dynamics.
Technically, the telescope is equipped with a fast slewing antenna capable of quickly shifting between observation targets. It also features dual-frequency receivers to minimise atmospheric interference, alongside high-speed data acquisition and recording systems. These capabilities enable real-time processing of large data volumes, ensuring continuous, highly accurate monitoring of both space and Earth-based phenomena.
Both Thai telescopes will operate using Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI), a method that links radio telescopes over vast distances to function as a single, Earth-sized antenna. By analysing the timing of radio signals arriving at each station, scientists can determine their positions with millimetre-level accuracy, supporting detailed observation of celestial movements and tectonic plate shifts.
Unlike traditional VLBI systems, which were constrained by lower bandwidths and slower measurements, this new generation of stations offers rapid, uninterrupted monitoring with significantly enhanced precision. These systems are designed to meet the advanced requirements of modern geodesy and space science.
The Chiang Mai facility is now integrated into China’s VLBI network, which includes the Tianma-13 and Seshan-13 stations in Shanghai and the Urumqi-13 station in Xinjiang. Each site operates a 13-metre new-generation antenna, forming a cohesive and advanced scientific network. Collectively, they participate in global initiatives under the International VLBI Service, alongside over 30 active stations across Asia, Europe, North America, and other regions.
-South China Morning Post
