The role of
Thailand Remote Sensing center in
user service to the Southeast Asia region
Services of satellite data are not restricted to only domestic users but to all interested users around the world.
Distribution of Landsat MSS and TM data is based on the agreement made originally with NOAA (which is now transferred to EOSAT). Thailand has also signed the agreement with SPOT IMAGE for the reception and distribution of SPOT data but this was already expired on December 31, 1989. Nevertheless, TRSC can still distribute the existing SPOT data to users under additional agreement with SPOT IMAGE.
With the availability of the multi-level satellite data, the amount of volume and value of data provided is increasing each year. The total value of data provided in FY 1989 (October 1988 - September 1989) was more than 500,000 U.S. Dollars and the trend of FY 1990 is much higher.
However, the international users are still the principal purchasers of digital product both in volume and value from Thailand Ground Station.
The role of TRSC in user service in the region
Due to the fact that Thailand Ground Receiving Station is located at the appropriate geographic site as the center of the Southeast Asia region and has the facilities and capabilities of receiving, processing and providing multiple satellite data; TRSC, therefore, has a great role in supporting utilization and application of satellite remote sensing data of the country in this region. Accordingly the enhanced quality and quantity of data is the main goal of TRSC in area of user service.
Although satellite data have been more widely used, there are certain problems which most of the countries in the region try to overcome, i.e the data price and the date analysis facilities.
Eventhough TRSC product price is not too high compared to the world standard, most of the d4eveloping countries still cannot afford. Funding sources need to be sought for otherwise chances to use the satellite data would be slim. Besides, the analysis systems are scarcely available even in some remote sensing agencies. This courses difficulties for the users to use satellite data to extract information that would be useful not only to the respective agencies but also to the community as a whole. With this respect, TRSC is aiming at serving the region with a broad range of satellite data that are not only affordable but also of high quality, and wherever possible, with some specific enhancements such that the image products can be readily used without much need for sophisticated analysis equipment . Emphasis will be put on cooperation between TRSC and Asian countries to broaden the use of satellite data for the benefit of the region.
Future plan
While satellite data has proven useful and more widely used, cloud cover is a critical problem for the counties in tropical zone such as those in Southeast Asia. The availability of satellite data is so scarce in rainy season which lasts about 5-6 months a year. The capability as radar or microwave sensors are required for the next generation of natural resources survey satellite.
Thailand has planned to receive data from the future all - weather satellites such as the ERS-1, JERS-1, Radar sat etc. so that the countries in the region can be served and also benefit from these data. Collaborative programmes between Thailand and satellite operating countries will be another important element in ensuring the continuity of satellite data for the region.
Conclusion
Thailand is one of the active countries participating in satellite remote sensing programmes. Thai station can serve more than fifteen countries within the region. Satellite data products can be reproduced in most standard formats and distri9buted to national and
international users upon request. Thailand has plans to continue its role in user service by providing the enhanced quality of the future microwave satellite data. Cooperation on a bilateral and multi-lateral basis in making the price on cost of data low will be strengthened in order that the users in this region can afford and as a result the satellite will be used more widely and effectively
Fig 1
