The Astropark and Planetarium Chiang Mai is a MUST see attraction!
Once you see what the National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand (NARIT) AstroPark and Planetarium in Chiang Mai has to offer, you’ll find it surprising to find out that it’s completely FREE to enter for everyone! That’s right – everyone 🙂
They didn’t cheap out either. This is the most professionally done and of the highest quality scientific attraction we’ve ever had in Chiang Mai.
You can find other FREE attractions in Chiang Mai here
An Attraction the Whole Family Will Love in Chiang Mai
Getting to the AstroPark and Planetarium Chiang Mai is really straight forward as it’s located just beyond the 700 Year Stadium and is well marked.
After driving up from the entrance there will be two parking lots. You may also notice bicycle paths. That’s because the AstroPark opens to the public mornings and evening to the public to ride your bikes!
Once parked, you will notice a few buildings. The white one in the cover photo is the observatory. Pre-Covid this was open to the public each Saturday for nightly viewings of the sky. Hopefully this will continue in the future.
To the left of that is the grey domed building which is where you want to go! All the exhibits and planetarium are in here.
The NARIT Planetarium, Chiang Mai
Having a planetarium in Chiang Mai makes my inner child happy! Going to the planetarium when I was a kid is one of my fondest memories and I’m so happy to have the opportunity to share that with my kids – and you can too!
While all of the incredible exhibits are 100% free, the planetarium show does have a small cost. Entrance is very minimal and family budget friendly. It’s only 30 baht for children and students, while adults are 50 baht.
The show times are:
- Tuesdays – Fridays: 11:00* and 15:00
- Saturdays: 10:00/ 14:00/ 17:00
- Sundays: 10:00/ 17:00
*English showing is at 11 am every Friday. The rest of the showings are in Thai
The show is 1 hour long and the seats are really comfortable. For an added experience (and if the theatre is pretty empty) you can lie down on the carpet at the front to make the viewing even better.
The Space Exhibits
Right from the start of the space exhibits you will be impressed at the detail. The journey begins with lots of facts about our solar system’s planets and included are incredibly detailed miniature versions of space craft; rovers, satellites, moon landers and more!
From here, you head down a level with huge but to scale hanging planets! You can see the size difference between the planets which is kind of neat. On this level are quite a few interactive stations to check out.
This is the gravity machine. You can actually feel the different effects of gravity on four different planets! It’s such a hands on experience to truly understand how weight changes across the solar system.
As the study of space has a lot to do with the science of light, this is the eyeball station where you can see someone else’s eye through a magnifying camera. Light enters the eye and you can see the person’s pupil react in real time!
Further on there are lots of other exhibits that cover the science of light, spectrometers, and how we use light to determine what planets are made of is all covered. At one interactive station, you can play around with the visible spectrum of light and learn about refraction.
Another section that the kids were obsessed with is the meteorite information station. The AstroPark and Planetarium Chiang Mai has real pieces of meteorites and even a giant one you can touch!
Further down the next level is a really cool learning centre where you can learn all about the modern astronomical related jobs that are sought after in today’s world. At these interactive stations, you can learn about the jobs and also take a personality test to see which job would suit you best and learn about what kind of personality you have.
Then there are stations dedicated to each of the ‘space’ jobs with working devices such as this microscope. It’s really hands on and (for once) all of the exhibits actually work.
At each of the stations are computerized quizzes and some have tangible activities. Again, we were so impressed by how professionally this was all done!
This interactive exhibit on sound was also really fun! Here you learn about how sound travels, or doesn’t travel in space. You need two people to use this device where one person hits the black ‘button’ and the other waits and listens for the sound to travel.Â
I’m not quite sure what the purpose of this room was, but it’s awesome!!! I supposed you are meant to feel among the stars and the room gives the impression that space is endless. It’s really quite a trip. Don’t look down!
On the bottom level you can meet Opportunity. It’s a to scale remodel of Opportunity the Mars rover. So cool! It looks so much like Short Circuit (a fantastic kids’ movie by the way). There are also other Mars rovers and moon landers in this same exhibit.
The Scientist Innovation Lab and Maker Space
The NARIT AstroPark Chiang Mai is really keen on inspiring future astronomers and scientists so they have an Innovation Lab. There are two sections to it, one being a Maker Space and the other a chemistry lab.Â
This is just one of the many creative activities you can do and you can take it home with you. This section is not free but is again, so reasonable! It’s a mere 100 baht per participant.
Here are some other things you can make. Everything is completed under supervision of very attentive and child-friendly staff who really know their science. Parents are welcome to stay and help out too and can even make your own!
Here’s a cute creature we made! The Innovation Lab or Maker Space has a daily schedule. You must show up on time for the activity that you want as the activities are different each scheduled class. They can have up to 10 participants at a time at the moment, more when it’s not Covid times. It would be a fantastic place to hold a birthday party excursion!
The Planet CafĂ©Â and RestaurantÂ
Why is it a great spot for a birthday? The restaurant is really gorgeous, child-friendly, and has surprisingly VERY reasonable prices. There is indoor and outdoor seating with accommodations for large groups.
See what I mean by gorgeous?! Also the staff are amazing and professional. The food is also really good quality and value. For instance coffee is 45 baht, fried rice 65 baht, spring rolls 45 baht and pasta 115 baht.
As for the kids, there’s a small semi-private play area with toys. You are welcome to bring the toys with you to your table if you wish.Â
There’s so Much More!
It’s just not possible to fit all the awesome stuff into one post and I wouldn’t want to ruin all the incredible fun. We recommend The AstroPark and Planetarium Chiang Mai to everyone who is interested in astronomy or space. It’s a fabulous day out and we can’t wait to go again.
(Psst if you’re a teacher or a homeschool, this is the perfect place to take your class!)
Check it out!
Hours: Open Tuesday to Sunday from 9 am – 4 pm. CLOSED Mondays
Cost: FREE! All exhibits are completely free.
Planetarium show: 30 baht for children and students. 50 baht per adult.
Innovation Lab or Maker Space: 100 baht per activity
Good for ages: all ages
Phone: 053 121 268
Kids Menu: No
High chairs: Yes
Wheelchair or stroller accessible: Yes
Child friendly staff: Yes
Birthday parties: Yes
Prices: $
Website: https://www.narit.or.th/
Location: Google Maps
