Cooler, clearer nights are back, and with them one of the best free evenings out in Thailand. The National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand (NARIT), a public organisation under the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, opened its 2026 to 2027 stargazing festival on Saturday 31 October with a Halloween-themed night at five sites: its AstroPark in Mae Rim, Chiang Mai, and its Regional Observatories for the Public in Nakhon Ratchasima, Khon Kaen, Chachoengsao and Songkhla. NARIT says the cool season is the best time of year for stargazing in Thailand, especially in the North.
Free Saturday public nights: how they work
NARIT Public Night runs every Saturday from 18:00 to 22:00 and is free. NARIT's own guide says no pre-registration is required. Staff set up telescopes on the viewing terrace, including the 0.7-metre telescope at the Chiang Mai AstroPark, and give a short introduction to finding your way around the sky with the naked eye before you take turns at the eyepiece.
At the Mae Rim AstroPark the Saturday sessions run from 31 October 2026 until May 2027. The four regional observatories hold public nights all year round, with extra events added during the festival season. According to The Nation's report on the opening night, early-season targets include Saturn, the Andromeda Galaxy, the Double Cluster and the Pleiades.
Dates to put in your diary
Saturday 21 November 2026, 17:00 to 22:00: Starry Night over Chiang Mai, a public stargazing night in the Chiang Mai Provincial Administrative Organisation park. Night of 13 December to the morning of 14 December 2026, from 20:00: the Geminid meteor shower. NARIT puts the peak rate at about 150 meteors an hour with no moonlight to spoil the view, and plans viewing events in Chiang Dao, Chiang Mai, and at the four regional observatories. 24 to 26 December 2026, 18:00 to 22:00: Christmas stargazing evenings, with the year's closest full moon on 24 December. Saturday 9 January 2027, 09:00 to 22:00: NARIT AstroFest, held on National Children's Day. Saturday 16 January 2027, 17:00 to 22:00: Starry Night over Bangkok, a public stargazing night in the capital. Friday 22 January 2027: a super full moon. 10 and 20 February 2027: Jupiter and then Mars at their closest to Earth for the year, both worth timing a Saturday visit around.
The national observatory open days
The Thai National Observatory on Doi Inthanon, home to NARIT's 2.4-metre telescope, opens to the public only twice a year. The 2027 open house days are 30 January and 6 February, each limited to 120 people at 300 baht per person. Registration for both opened on 31 October through a live broadcast on NARIT's Facebook page, so check there for any remaining places.
Contacts and tips
For enquiries, NARIT lists these numbers: AstroPark, Chiang Mai 084 088 2261; Nakhon Ratchasima 086 429 1489; Khon Kaen 063 892 1854; Chachoengsao 084 088 2264; and Songkhla 095 145 0411. Visitors who join Public Night and other special events can collect NARIT Points online and swap them for limited-edition souvenirs, which vary by venue.
Viewing depends on the weather, so check the sky and NARIT's Facebook page before setting off. Bring a light jacket for the hills around Chiang Mai, some insect repellent, and a torch with a red light if you have one, so your eyes stay adjusted to the dark.