...and will monitor Thailand's transport, electricity and environmental infrastructure. China's homegrown BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS) will begin operations in Thailand for weather forecasting and disaster prevention, China National Radio reported on Tuesday. This is the first time the BDS will be used outside China.

Valued at 2 billion yuan (US$322 million), the project in Thailand consists of a satellite receiving station, a peripheral system, and an industrial park. Wholly developed by Chinese engineers, the BDS began offering services in the Asia-Pacific region in December 2012. The satellite's global navigation system is expected to be finished by 2020. Source: Cina.org.cn