US-Based Satellite Imaging Firm Could Help Many Sectors in Thailand.

Nov. 2--US-based Space Imaging Corp, which also has private Thai investors, is urging Thailand to take advantage of its proposal to build a US $15-million remote sensing earth satellite station for its own benefits, saying it could move to another Asean country if the idea is not taken up.

Thailand could benefit a great deal from using satellite imagery to improve its competitive position, particularly in the farming sector, Space Imaging chairman and chief executive John Copple said during a recent visit.

Space Imaging launched Ikonos, a high-resolution, one-metre satellite, two years ago to provide data and imagery. It has been collecting images all over the world for the mapping and intelligence gathering industries.

Ikonos is programmed to fly over Southeast Asia at approximately 10 am daily.

One of the company's recent coups was the high-resolution pictures taken by Ikonos of the US spy plane grounded in Hainan, China.

Mr Copple said the picture was detailed enough for US military intelligence to tell that the outer panels of the plane had been taken off to facilitate the removal of electronic equipment and later put back.

With Ikonos and its proposal, Thailand had the opportunity to be the centre and regional leader in controlling and using the technology, he said.