Chaloem Phrakiat Observatory Songkhla (Regional Observatory Songkhla)

History & Significance

The Chaloem Phrakiat Observatory Commemorating the King's 7th Cycle Birthday Anniversary, Songkhla, is located in Khao Rup Chang Subdistrict, Mueang Songkhla District, Songkhla Province. It was established as a regional astronomical learning center to support academic services for schools, educational institutions, and the general public. Notably, it serves as the very first Islamic astronomical learning center in Thailand, playing a crucial role in combining scientific astronomy with traditional Islamic practices.

Highlights & What to See

The observatory features several key facilities designed to provide an immersive educational experience:

• Exhibition Building: Offers interactive displays and educational resources about astronomy and space science.
• Planetarium (Star-Projecting Building): Features captivating astronomical movies and presentations about the solar system and various constellations, running in 1-hour sessions.
• Observation Deck: A dedicated space equipped for close-up sky observation.
• Saturday Night Stargazing: Every Saturday from 18:00 to 22:00, the observatory hosts a free stargazing activity, allowing visitors to observe celestial objects through professional telescopes at no cost.

Visitor Information

The observatory is open daily from 08:30 to 16:30. Admission fees are 50 THB for Thai adults and 30 THB for Thai children. The special stargazing activity on Saturday nights (18:00 - 22:00) is free of charge. Facilities available on-site include parking, restrooms, and an ATM.

How to Get There

The observatory is located in Khao Rup Chang Subdistrict, Mueang Songkhla District, Songkhla Province. Visitors can travel by local transport or private vehicle to the site.