As daylight fades across Thailand, a hidden spectacle awakens, transforming the familiar landscapes of golden temples and bustling markets into realms of serene wonder. It's a magic only truly appreciated after the sun dips below the horizon, when the inky blackness reveals skies awash with a million glittering stars.
This nocturnal beauty is at the heart of ‘Amazing Dark Sky in Thailand Season 4,’ a renewed collaboration between the Tourism Authority of Thailand and the National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand. This season illuminates 16 new dark sky conservation areas, inviting adventurers and dreamers alike to discover a different side of the kingdom.
This project invites all of us to enjoy the night skies while also helping spread the word about why cutting down on light pollution, saving energy and using lights wisely really matters.
Over the past three years, the nation has named 48 dark sky conservation areas, and with these 16 new additions this year, it’s easier than ever to find your spot for astrophotography and nighttime escapades.
Here are some of the new spots you can visit this year:
- Dark Sky Parks such as Thung Non Pa Ko at Phu Si Than Wildlife Sanctuary (Mukdahan), Phu Hin Rong Kla National Park (Phitsanulok) and Mae Ping National Park (Lamphun).
- Dark Sky Properties features private venues such as Golden Cliff Beach Resort (Trat), Daraga Chiang Dao (Chiang Mai) and Dara Cuisine Phuket (Phuket) that follow special dark sky-friendly lighting rules.
- Dark sky suburbs: Elephant Kingdom (Surin) and Walai Rukhavej Botanical Garden, Mahasarakham University (Mahasarakham)
This initiative showcases that when night falls, the country has so much more to offer than just bars and clubs. It opens up a whole universe of nighttime adventures, with something fun for everyone’s style and pace.
For those interested in exploring Thailand’s starlit landscapes, the Dark Sky Tourism Guidebook is available for download in e-book format here.