The Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation Anek Laothamatas is not a man who typically generates headlines. Yet he managed to raise more than a few eyebrows when he declared that in seven years, Thailand will send a spacecraft to orbit the moon. 

By becoming the fifth nation in Asia to have this capability, Anek explained, “the project will forever change the whole perspective of Thai people that Thailand is no longer a developing country but is a country with a future, opportunity, and hope.”

The comment was met with both puzzlement and mockery.

Click here for the full piece in Thai Enquirer.