- The UNODC and JAXA hosted a regional workshop in Kuala Lumpur to enhance cooperation on satellite-based maritime surveillance among Southeast Asian space and coast guard agencies.
- The workshop facilitated discussions on capacity development and technology transfer, focusing on innovations like Radio Frequency Detection Technology for improved surveillance.
- GISTDA highlighted its long-term contributions and the upcoming benefits of the Thai earth observation satellite constellation, THEOS-2 and THEOS-2A, to regional maritime security and surveillance efforts.
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) jointly organised the “Regional Workshop for National Space Agencies and Coast Guard Agencies in Southeast Asia”. This event aimed to foster partnerships and enhance cooperation on the utilisation of satellite-based sensors and applications for maritime surveillance among Southeast Asian space and coast guard agencies.
The workshop saw active participation from representatives of the Thai Maritime Enforcement Command Centre (Thai-MECC) and the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA), along with delegations from various national space and coast guard agencies including JAXA and the Japan Coast Guard (JCG), Indonesia’s National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) and Indonesian Maritime Security Agency (BAKAMLA), Malaysia Space Agency (MYSA) and Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA), and the Philippines Space Agency (PhilSA) and Philippine Coast Guard (PCG). The discussions led to strengthened cooperation in capacity development and technology transfer, focusing on innovative tools like Radio Frequency Detection Technology for enhanced maritime surveillance.
GISTDA has been providing valuable marine data and applications for many years
Earth observation satellites play a crucial role in Maritime Domain Awareness activities, contributing to maritime security, safety, marine transportation, fishery resource management, ship monitoring, and ocean condition and oil spill monitoring. GISTDA, as a key player in this field, has been providing valuable marine data and applications for many years. The upcoming operational deployment of the Thai earth observation satellite constellation “THEOS-2 and THEOS-2A” will offer regional Coast Guard agencies enhanced benefits, including very high-resolution imagery and specific sensors like the Automatic Identification System (AIS) and Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B), further improving their surveillance capabilities.
GISTDA’s regular involvement in these space-related regional workshops underscores its significant role and status as Thailand’s national space agency within the international and global space community.
About GISTDA
The Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA) is Thailand’s premier national space agency, dedicated to advancing space technology and geo-informatics for sustainable development, national security, and disaster management. Renowned for its contributions to maritime surveillance and environmental monitoring, GISTDA operates earth observation satellites, including the upcoming THEOS-2 and THEOS-2A, providing high-resolution imagery and advanced sensors. Actively involved in international collaborations, GISTDA fosters knowledge exchange and capacity building through joint initiatives with global space agencies. The agency offers geospatial solutions and comprehensive training programs, supporting government, private enterprises, and academia, ensuring Thailand’s leadership in space technology and geo-informatics.
