Stargazing at 60 Dark Sky Spots Across Thailand

Another rising global travel trend

One of the fastest-growing travel trends around the world is dark-sky stargazing, or what many call a Dark Sky Star Party. This “green” travel movement represents the future of sustainable tourism — helping to reduce the impact of light pollution, which today has far-reaching consequences for both the environment and living ecosystems.

Across Thailand, more communities are beginning to recognize the issue of light pollution — and the growing opportunity behind this high-value tourism trend. Many have now applied to become part of the country’s Dark Sky Conservation Zones, with about 60 sites officially designated by the National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand (NARIT).

These dark-sky zones are classified into four categories:

• Dark Sky Parks
• Dark Sky Conservation Communities
• Dark Sky Preserves on Private Lands
• Suburban Dark Sky Areas

Pruitti Kerdchoochuen of Dairy Home, who also serves as the President of Thailand’s Dark Sky Volunteers Club, is one of the key figures driving the country’s dark-sky tourism movement into wider public awareness.

It comes as no surprise that Khao Yai, home to Dairy Home, has become one of Thailand’s most popular dark-sky stargazing destinations.

This was evident during the Khao Yai Car Free Day on September 20–21, when a dark-sky stargazing event drew a warm response from visitors. Even though the sky wasn’t perfectly clear that night, the atmosphere alone left a lasting impression on everyone who attended.

At nearly every forum he joins, the “big brother” of Dairy Home encourages local businesses to adapt their properties into dark-sky areas—because the true benefit of darkness, he reminds us, lies in environmental conservation.

“The night sky is supposed to be dark when there’s no moon,” Pruitti explains. “But today, it’s never truly dark anymore—because we keep adding more and more artificial lights. These short-wavelength white lights bounce off the ground and scatter upward, creating light pollution.”

So, how does light pollution affect us?

“It leads to more rats—and dying owls,” he says with a wry smile, a statement that at first leaves the audience puzzled.

He goes on to explain: when artificial lights flood the night, nocturnal animals lose their natural advantage. Creatures that rely on darkness to hunt become disoriented or blinded by the glare. Their prey can see them coming, and the balance of nature shifts. Rats multiply, while owls—their natural predators—struggle to survive.

Pruitti offers another example: the story of moths. Once, they would fly toward the flicker of a campfire. Today, they swarm around electric lamps, drawn by the brightness that spills from every home. And when moths enter our houses, they eventually turn into termites—a reminder that, in a way, we’re the ones inviting them in.

If that still feels abstract, he continues with the case of mayflies, whose larvae serve as indicators of healthy freshwater ecosystems. Their numbers are now declining due to excessive light, which also affects fish species that feed on them. Even migratory birds, which navigate across continents by starlight, may lose their way amid the glow of city lights.

“We saw it clearly during the COVID lockdown,” he recalls. “When hotels went dark, the stars returned—and so did the sea turtles, coming ashore to lay their eggs once again. That’s what environmental restoration looks like. That’s what dark-sky conservation can bring.”

Pruitti recalls the recent Khao Yai Car Free Day, where his team added a stargazing session at the Khao Rom field. “The sky was cloudy that night, so we didn’t see many stars,” he admits, “but the soft glow of the lanterns, the tents pitched under the mountain air — that was happiness in itself.”

“Most stargazers are high-value travelers,” he explains. “They might bring telescopes, sip wine, and enjoy the silence beneath the stars. All we need is to provide them with the right spot. Not only does it save energy, but it also creates a new kind of activity — one that connects directly to conservation. Guests stay longer, and they feel more engaged with the place.”

In today’s world, where the green trend is becoming a global mainstream movement, Khao Yai is emerging as a destination that embodies this philosophy.

“I want to see Khao Yai tourism move toward a truly green model — with green businesses and green hotels,” Pruitti says with a smile. “But that doesn’t mean you have to paint everything green! What matters is where your ingredients and supplies come from. Restaurants and hotels should source vegetables and produce from trusted local networks — safe, traceable, and community-based.”

He goes on to explain that this approach reduces food miles, the distance food travels from farm to table — which in turn lowers carbon emissions.

“It’s different from buying vegetables flown in from California,” he laughs. “Sure, it sounds fancy — but it increases your food miles and your carbon footprint. Khao Yai must move in the direction of sustainability, whether as a Green Hotel or a Green Restaurant.”

For those interested, you can explore Thailand’s certified Dark Sky Conservation Areas at https://darksky.narit.or.th/

— where you can also apply for registration.

The process involves a review by the Dark Sky Committee, which coordinates with applicants to conduct on-site assessments and data collection before officially designating the area as a Dark Sky Conservation Zone.

With just a bit of effort, your area could soon welcome visitors who share a love for the night sky — gathering under the stars for joyful, eco-friendly stargazing parties that celebrate both nature and conservation.

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