RAST held AGM meeting and hosted New Year Party

Members vote to approve the minutes of the 2019 AGM during the meeting at Rot Meu Mae on Sunday, April 4.

Radio Amateur Society of Thailand under the Royal Patronage of His Majesty the King (RAST) held the 2020 Annual General Meeting on Sunday 4th April 2021 at Rot Meu Mae Restaurant, located at Ngamwongwan Road, Laksi District, in Bangkok. Over 100 RAST members attended the event.

RAST’s president Dr. Jakkree Hantongkam (Jack), HS1FVL, opened the formal meeting at 14:00 by summarizing all the activities that took place in 2020, albeit a quieter year because of Covid-19, as well as the society’s income and expenditure, and the current number of members in each category.

RAST President, Dr. Jack HS1FVL Opening RAST NEW YEAR Party 2021

Dr. Jack proposed RAST’s plan for the next fiscal year to everybody, and also took the opportunity to hold a Q&A session with the members. RAST’s secretary and QSL Bureau Manager Champ, E21EIC, reported the total incoming and outgoing QSL cards for 2020, along with the sent and received QSL card statistics for RAST QSL bureau. All the members voted to approve the meeting, and the Annual General Meeting drew to a close at 15:00.

Mr. Nopanant Jira, HS0JSB, the big boss of G.Simon Radio Co., Ltd

After the General Meeting was over, the gatherings enjoyed a belated New Year party which included a practical demonstration of portable ICOM IC-705 and the exchange of gifts. The highlight of the evening was undoubtedly the lucky draw for three ICOM transceivers: ICOM IC-9700, ICOM IC-705, and ICOM IC-2300, sponsored by Mr. Rachar Perdpipat, E23FXX, and Mr. Nopanant Jira, HS0JSB, the big boss of G. Simon Radio Co., Ltd, the authorized dealer of ICOM in Thailand. The prizes went to:

ICOM IC-9700 HS6NDK

RAST would like to take this opportunity to thank all members for joining the event, and give special thanks to E23FXX and HS0JSB for sponsoring these great prizes and make the evening a memorable one for everybody.

NARIT Astro Fest 2021

On 27^th March 2021, National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand (Public Organization) (NARIT) hosted the “NARIT Astro Fest 2021”, the grandest astronomy event of the year, at Princess Sirindhorn Astro Park, Mae Rim District, in Chiang Mai. 

Many interesting activities were held including stargazing with telescopes, tailored astronomy games for kids and families, meeting astronomers and learn about their latest research, a special talk titled “Women in Astronomy” and a presentation on “Women of Nasa”, and an open-house visit of advanced technological astronomy laboratory. One of the special highlights was “Whispers from the Sky” organised by RAST to spread the awareness about satellite communication and the technology it entails.

Dr. Jack, HS1FVL present RAST’s Satellite to Prof Dr Anek Laothamatas
Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation

HS5IHQ, HS4SCI, E25GGT, E22YJB, HS1JAN

RAST’s space and satellite working team consists of RAST’s president Dr Jack, HS1FVL, HS1JAN, HS4SCI, E25GGT, and HS5IGY, as well as other volunteers including HS5IHQ and E22YJB joined the event. Dr. Jack presented a summary of RAST’s space and satellite project to Prof Dr. Anek Laothamatas – Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, Mr. Charoenrit Sanguansat – Chiang Mai Governor, Dr. Rawin Rawiwong – President of the National Science Museum (NSM), Mr. Sean O’Neill – US Consul General, Chiang Mai, Assoc Prof Dr. Peeradet Tongumpai – Chairperson of NARIT Executive Board, Dr. Saran Poshyachinda – NARIT Executive Director, and other esteemed guests at the event. RAST always welcomed opportunities to collaborate with both government and public sectors on various space and satellite projects in the future.

HS5IGY, HS1FVL, HS4SCI