Thailand
Artemis Accords signatory that also joined China's rival lunar programme.
Last refreshed: 2 April 2026 · Appears in 1 active topic
Why has Thailand signed up to both Moon programmes?
Latest on Thailand
- Why did Thailand sign both Artemis Accords and ILRS?
- Thailand is hedging to maximise access to both US and Chinese space programmes, a pattern common among middle powers.Source: background
- What is Thailand's space agency?
- GISTDA (Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency).Source: quick_facts
- Which other countries are dual signatories of Artemis and ILRS?
- Senegal is among the other dual signatories alongside Thailand.Source: background
- Does Thailand's ILRS membership weaken Artemis?
- Yes — dual signatories show that the Accords' 61-nation count overstates the exclusivity of the US-led Coalition.Source: background
- Is Thailand part of the Artemis Moon programme?
- Thailand is a signatory of the Artemis Accords but has also signed onto China's rival ILRS framework.Source: background
Background
Thailand signed both the Artemis Accords and China's ILRS framework, making it one of the dual signatories that complicate the coalition-building narrative around Artemis.
Thailand's space agency GISTDA has pursued partnerships with multiple space powers. The country's dual-signatory status reflects a broader pattern among middle powers of maintaining strategic ambiguity between US and Chinese space programmes.
Thailand's hedging illustrates that the Artemis Accords' 61-nation signatory count overstates the exclusivity of the Coalition. Nations are keeping options open rather than committing to one framework.
