Thais from Buri Ram to Bangkok and beyond will be looking to the skies through blinders March 9 as a partial eclipse rolls across the country for more than two hours.
The celestial show will begin at 6.20am and run until 8.40am, according to the National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand (Narit).
For people living in Bangkok, the partial eclipse will begin at 6.38am and end at 8.32am.
Supparoek Karuahanon, head of Narit's centre of astronomy information services, said Betong district of Yala will offer the best view of the astronomical phenomenon, where 69% of the sun will be obscured. For other provinces including Bangkok, the eclipse will be about 30-40%.
Five main eclipse-watching venues will be set up across the country including Benjakiti Park in Bangkok, Narit observatories in Nakhon Ratchasima and Chachoengsao, Central Festival Chiang Mai and the Samila beach viewpoint in Songkhla.
Thais will join people across southeast Asia, Japan, most of Australia, Hawaii, and western Alaska in experiencing the partial solar eclipse next Wednesday.
A rare total eclipse, which will last about four minutes, will be visible in parts of Indonesia. The US will get the next one on the calendar on Aug 21, 2017.
The next total Bangkok eclipse will not take place for another 54 years.
The astronomical institute will deliver live broadcast of the phenomenon from both Thailand and Indonesia on its websiteat Narit.or.th.
Viewers have been warned not to look directly at the sun's rays, but to use a pinhole projector or protective eclipse glasses.
Mr Supparoek said Thailand will experience the next partial eclipse in December 2019.