Nemeth/Star Productions - Picture Gallery

Welcome to the Bangkok Planetarium, located in Thailand's vibrant capital. Founded in 1964, it is Thailand’s oldest planetarium, situated in the (Bangkapi ) Khlong Toei district along bustling Sukhumvit Road, right next to the Eastern Bus Terminal (Ekkamai). In addition to the planetarium, visitors will find a range of science exhibits showcasing technological advancements in space exploration, the evolution of satellite research, and various natural science themes. Highlights include a dinosaur exhibit and an insect zone, which are particularly popular with young visitors. The interactive displays are largely designed for children and school groups, making it an educational hotspot for families. Outside the planetarium, a replica of a NASA lunar module invites visitors to explore it up close from all angles. Inside, a permanent exhibition offers scientific and historical insights into astronomy and space exploration, including an astronaut suit and a model of a landing capsule. At the heart of the planetarium lies its impressive domed theater, where captivating shows on astronomy and the cosmos are screened regularly. These shows change every two months, providing visitors with fresh, immersive perspectives on different cosmic themes. It’s the perfect place to escape the city’s bustle, unwind, and learn something new. In the 1960s, as many countries began to offer astronomy education for students and the general public, Thailand also recognized the importance of astronomy and science education. Following World War II, the population of Thailand grew, leading to an increase in student numbers. The government acknowledged the necessity of extracurricular educational facilities to support access to knowledge and practical science promotion. In 1961, plans were initiated for the construction of a planetarium and observatory as part of an educational enhancement program. The goal was to enable students to learn scientific concepts through realistic simulations, which are more effective and engaging than traditional lecture-based teaching. The educational complex was designed to be easily accessible, safe, and expandable, leading to its construction on the grounds of the Ministry of Education in the Bangkapi district of Bangkok. The projectors and telescopes were supplied and installed by B. Grimm & Co. Ltd., the representative of the German company Carl Zeiss in Thailand. The equipment costs—including projectors, telescopes, air conditioning, electrical systems, and elevators—amounted to €67,000 (1960s) (9,141,000 Baht), while the building construction costs reached €182,000 (1960s) (3,298,031 Baht). On September 7, 1962, Field Marshal Sarit Thanarat laid the foundation stone for the building, which was constructed with a reinforced concrete structure designed in the style of the Carl Zeiss Planetarium. The building measures 31 meters in width, 38.6 meters in length, and 5 meters in height. The planetarium's dome has a diameter of 20.6 meters and can accommodate 500 visitors. Adjacent to the planetarium is the observatory, also built of reinforced concrete. It measures 5 meters by 5 meters and stands 20 meters tall. The observatory is equipped with a large telescope housed under a metal dome with a diameter of 3.7 meters. Once construction was completed, the technical team from Carl Zeiss installed the projectors and telescopes, a process that took about five months. On August 18, 1964, King Bhumibol Adulyadej, together with Queen Sirikit, officially inaugurated the planetarium. The first presentation in the planetarium was conducted by Admiral Luang Chonlathanapruttikai. In 2016, the Zeiss Mark IV projector was replaced by a modern Digistar 5 projection system from Evans & Sutherland; however, the old Zeiss projector remains on-site as a historical exhibit. All pictures licensed CC-BY 4.0 Please credit as follows Photo: Sven Nemeth Published by: Nemeth/Star Productions (https://nemethstarproductions.eu) *This episode was also possible thanks to the eSIM card provider Airalo. Use our link to get discounts to stay connected to the world while traveling. Stay connected with Airalo: https://airalo.pxf.io/MmkjyJ Discount code (new costumers): NEWTOAIRALO15 Discount code (existing costumers): AIRALOESIM10