KRABI, Thailand – A mysterious spherical object believed to be a piece of space debris has been found washed ashore on Mai Phai Island in Krabi, prompting officials to conduct a technical examination and warn the public not to touch or move it.
On November 5, the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA), through its Space Technology Research Center (S-TREC), visited Hat Noppharat Thara–Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park to take custody of and inspect the unidentified object. It was first reported on November 1 near the national park’s Mai Phai Island protection unit.
Dr. Sitthiporn Channamsin, director of S-TREC, met with representatives of the Thai Maritime Enforcement Command Center in Krabi and national park officials to exchange information about the discovery, maritime surveillance and technical tracking of space objects.
Following the discussions, GISTDA took the object to the Space Innovation Park in Chonburi for detailed engineering analysis to establish its origin. The agency will announce its findings once the examination is complete.
GISTDA warned that unidentified objects suspected of being space debris could contain hazardous chemicals. Anyone finding a similar object should not touch or move it, but should photograph it, record its location and immediately notify the authorities or GISTDA.
