Vienna, Austria — December 12, 2025
Thailand has been chosen as the host nation for the 10th Global Moon Village Workshop & Symposium, a milestone event organized by the Moon Village Association (MVA). The selection marks the first time the flagship conference will be held in Southeast Asia — a move widely seen as recognition of the region’s growing presence in space innovation and policy leadership.
Scheduled for October 26–27, 2026, the conference will take place at True Icon Hall in Bangkok, under the auspices of Thailand’s national space agency, the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA). The gathering will coincide with two major events — the Thailand Space Expo and the Asia-Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum (APRSAF) — making it the largest combined space-focused event ever staged in the region.
A Vote of Confidence in Thailand’s Space Vision
According to the MVA, GISTDA’s proposal stood out for its ambition and alignment with the association’s mission to foster global cooperation for sustainable lunar exploration. The decision followed a competitive selection process involving multiple international candidates.
Dr. Giuseppe Reibaldi, President of the Moon Village Association, hailed Thailand’s selection as “a testament to the country’s growing leadership in space activities.” He added that the event would reinforce global partnerships and accelerate progress toward “a sustainable future on and around the Moon.”
GISTDA’s Executive Director, Dr. Pakorn Apaphant, described the announcement as a watershed moment for Thailand’s space aspirations. Hosting the international symposium, he noted, reflects Thailand’s transition “from a technology user to a co-developer and soon, a creator of global space innovation.” The milestone aligns closely with the government’s New S-Curve strategy to strengthen science, technology, and innovation-driven sectors.
Building Bridges to the Moon and Beyond
The upcoming workshop will convene policymakers, scientists, industry leaders, and academics from across the world to discuss collaborative frameworks for lunar exploration — from resource utilization and governance to ethical and cultural dimensions.
The MVA, headquartered in Vienna, operates as an independent non-governmental organization with observer status at the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS). Since its founding in 2017, it has built an international network of more than 500 participants across 55 countries and has been instrumental in initiatives such as the UN-recognized International Moon Day and the Global Expert Group on Sustainable Lunar Activities (GEGSLA).
GISTDA’s Expanding Orbital Ambitions
Founded in 2000, GISTDA has become a driving force behind Thailand’s aspirations to establish a homegrown space economy. The agency is responsible for Earth observation programs, including the THEOS and THEOS-2 satellites, which provide critical data for national planning, agriculture, and disaster management.
Beyond Earth observation, GISTDA’s strategic vision now extends to capacity-building, research partnerships, and infrastructure for satellite design and assembly. Its long-term goal is to position Thailand as a regional hub connecting technological advancement with national development and environmental resilience.
A Regional Hub Takes Shape
By hosting the 10th Global Moon Village Workshop & Symposium, Bangkok will join a roster of previous international hosts that includes Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Cyprus, France, and the United States. For Thailand and Southeast Asia, the 2026 event promises not just scientific exchange but also economic and educational ripple effects.
