Legal Factors Influencing Thailand’s Low Earth Orbit Satellite Business Ecosystem: A Comparative Analysis of Legal Barriers and International Case Studies

Abstract

This academic article aims to analyze the legal factors affecting the development of Thailand’s Low Earth Orbit Satellite Business Ecosystem. It focuses on legal problems and barriers relating to space law, satellite licensing systems, spectrum allocation, the authorization of foreign satellites, liability and insurance, cybersecurity, data protection, and space debris management. This study employs documentary analysis and comparative analysis with foreign case studies, namely Singapore, the European Union, the United Kingdom, and Australia.

The findings indicate that Thailand has significant potential to utilize Low Earth Orbit satellites to support the digital economy, communications in remote areas, maritime and aviation connectivity, smart agriculture, and disaster management. However, Thailand’s legal framework remains fragmented and still lacks a comprehensive national space law. This creates regulatory uncertainty concerning licensing, liability, the supervision of foreign operators, and data protection.

In comparison with foreign jurisdictions, the United Kingdom has enacted the Space Industry Act 2018, which clearly establishes licensing, liability, and insurance requirements. The European Union has proposed the EU Space Act to create common standards for the safety, resilience, and sustainability of space activities. Singapore has focused on developing institutional structures for space activities that support innovation, while Australia has specific legislation governing the launch and return of space objects.

This article proposes that Thailand should enact an integrated national space activities law, establish a one-stop space regulator, develop a dedicated licensing framework for LEO satellite services, define rules on liability and insurance, and establish standards on cybersecurity, satellite data governance, and space debris mitigation. These measures would enable Thailand’s Low Earth Orbit satellite business ecosystem to grow securely, competitively, and in accordance with international standards.