{
  "id": 13921405,
  "title": "May the force be with Thailand: Air force chief warns of ‘Star Wars’",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/12/may-the-force-be-with-thailand-air-force-chief-warns-of-star-wars",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-12T09:14:23.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Khaosod English",
    "slug": "khaosod-english",
    "url": "https://www.khaosodenglish.com/featured/2026/10/12/may-the-force-be-with-thailand-air-force-chief-warns-of-star-wars/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Bangkok – Thailand must prepare for the possibility of space warfare and lunar settlements as major powers expand their military presence and seek resources beyond Earth, according to Air Chief Marshal Seksan Khantha, commander-in-chief of the Royal Thai Air Force. The remarks were made during his policy presentation for 2027-2028 at the Navaminda Kasatriyadhiraj Royal Air Force Academy on October 12. Khantha emphasized the need for countries to consider how to protect their assets and resources in space, citing the US interest in the thousands of Starlink satellites it has deployed. He predicted a coming era of \"Star Wars\" or space warfare, with the US expected to expand its Starlink network to 40,000 satellites by 2030. Thailand's Royal Air Force currently operates several satellites and plans to deploy NAPA-3 and NAPA-4 satellites, with an aim to strengthen cooperation with private-sector partners to bolster the country's space capabilities. Khantha warned that geopolitical tensions, supply chain disruptions, and the growing influence of major powers pose challenges to Thailand's national security. The Russia-Ukraine war has led to increased defence spending by NATO countries, driving up military equipment costs and complicating logistics. He also highlighted the potential for emerging threats such as missiles, drones, electromagnetic warfare, and cyberattacks, drawing parallels to clashes along the Thai-Cambodian border. Khantha urged Thailand to enhance its defence capabilities, reduce dependence on vulnerable supply chains, and maintain a balance in military diplomacy while fostering reliable partnerships. He stressed the importance of managing the budget and diversifying supplies to improve self-reliance, especially in light of rising energy prices linked to the Middle East situation.",
  "summary": "BANGKOK – Thailand must prepare for the prospect of space warfare and lunar colonies as major powers expand their military presence and pursue resources beyond Earth, the air force chief said on Monday. Air Chief Marshal Seksan Khantha, commander-in-chief of the Royal Thai Air Force, made the remarks while outlining his policy for 2027-2028 at […] The post May the force be with Thailand: Air…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}