Cosmic cut-off: Thai student’s stellar space science event opportunity eclipsed by budget black hole

Photo courtesy of Sanook

A Thai student selected by Japan for a space science event has missed the opportunity due to the Thai government‘s inability to fund the airfare.

The National Science and Technology Development Agency’s (NSTDA) SPACE Education programme highlighted the situation. The Japanese programme, known as JAXA Asian Try Zero G, has conducted similar space science events for several years, inviting young students from ASEAN countries to compete in space experiments.

The Japanese strategy includes both hard power and soft power. Hard power encompasses global-level technology and economy, while soft power involves cultural diplomacy like cartoons, movies, music, science, and education. This is to attract foreigners to their scientific and technological prowess and provide scholarships for further studies.

One aspect of Japan’s science and…