THAILAND TRAVEL NEWS: Thailand residents and visitors will be slightly in the dark next week when the longest solar eclipse of the 21st century tracks a path over the kingdom.

From the northern-most reaches of the country to Phuket in the south, the eclipse will be visible for about six minutes, depending on weather conditions, commencing at about 8.10am as the Moon passes in front of the Sun.

People in the north of Thailand will experience up to a 60 percent blackout, while those in the south will see just 20 percent of phenomenon.

Visitors should not be alarmed if their mornings are disrupted by groups of people making loud noises either.

Traditional Thai and Chinese belief is that a solar eclipse is caused by a great celestial dragon attacking the sun and attempting to consume it, so it is the responsibility of all good citizens to try to frighten the giant away by making noise – banging cooking pots, lighting fireworks and, more recently, shooting into the air.

Universities throughout Thailand have arranged eclipse viewing events to coincide with occasion, and residents and visitors are invited to attend.

At many of the events protective eyewear will be provided free of charge, while university staff will be in attendance to answer questions and ensure people follow safe viewing practices.

Those wishing to attend the eclipse viewing events should contact their local universities to find out what arrangements have been put in place prior to next Wednesday.

On the southern island of Phuket, visitors and residents have been invited to gather at the traffic circle in front of the dean’s office at the campus of Rajabhat Phuket University.

Remember that looking at the photosphere of the Sun (the bright disk of the Sun itself), even for just a few seconds, can cause permanent damage to the retina of the eye. Those interested in viewing the eclipse should not do so without adequate eye protection.

By John Le Fevre

Thailand Travel News for July 18, 2009