The Full Picture

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Thailand, as a member of GEO, recognizes these impor-

tant issues and the necessity of pursuing the following

goals:

• Further strengthening national coordination

mechanisms in meeting national development

needs by collective efforts across various govern-

ment agencies

• Establishing a regional/sub-regional cooperative

mechanism for the implementation of space appli-

cation projects of common interest, and minimizing

duplication of efforts

• Supporting and coordinating an operational Earth

space information database and its network with a

more advanced spatial data infrastructure on a

regional/global scale.

In order to achieve these goals, a high-level forum of

ministerial conference is a necessary step towards inten-

sifying regional and global cooperation, mobilizing

stronger political will and collectively addressing a range

of issues. The third Ministerial Conference will be

convened on 30 November 2007 in Cape Town, South

Africa to address these issues towards the

10-Year

Implementation Plan

for GEOSS. On this occasion

GISTDA commits itself to participate actively in support-

ing GEOSS activities.

avails itself to working towards an integrated Earth observations system

that can meet user needs at global and regional levels. GISTDA has

continuously supported GEOSS in several activities.

GISTDA’s role has evolved from that of a satellite data user to a data

provider. This will be particularly enhanced with the launch of THEOS,

by the end of 2007. GISTDA is in a position to continuously contribute

and share its data in case of emergency, particularly to neighbouring

countries in Southeast Asia.

Thailand has developed a spatial database under the framework of the

National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI) to facilitate the recording

and storage of data in clearly defined formats for easy access by end

users. ‘Digital Thailand’ is an example of a product being developed to

achieve data accessibility to and interoperability among the various

government agencies as well as national end users through the Internet

map server system.

NSDI is designed to ensure that spatial data are available frommulti-

ple sources and can be easily integrated. Specific requirements are put

on relevant agencies that collect, use or disseminate geographic infor-

mation to ensure that the resulting data, information or products can

be readily shared and integrated among user agencies. The NSDI should

be developed so that all participants interface with each other through

interoperability specifications based on open, international standards

to facilitate users at all levels, from national to regional and global. The

adherence of NSDI to advanced Spatial Data Infrastructure (SDI)

regional/global standards will bring about synergy among regional and

global decision support systems through this data-sharing concept.

GISTDA has a leading role in educating the public and provides

more than 12 training courses a year in Thailand

The Thailand Earth Observation System (THEOS) will provide

high-resolution data accessibility to the country

Photo: GISTDA

ATIONAL

& R

EGIONAL

EPORTS