Purpose The paper aims to explore the development of the halal industry in Thailand. It endeavours to investigate the main factors behind the country’s success as one of the largest exporters of halal-certified foods and products in the Southeast Asian region, in spite of the fact that Thailand is a non-Muslim-majority country. Only 4.3 per cent of the 69-million population of Thailand is Muslims. Design/methodology/approach In articulating the issue objectively, qualitative research method was adopted. This paper used structured literature study by analysing various subjects of halal pertaining to Thailand’s halal sector. At the same time, several in-depth interviews with the corresponding halal authorities in Thailand, as well as site visits, were also conducted. We also undertook observations in several sites in Thailand to analyse the issue further. Findings Findings from the research show that the strong presence of Thailand in the global halal industry is because of its bustling tourism industry that helps to bolster the country’s halal branding, its uniformity of halal definition and standards and effective support to the local SMEs. Practical implications This research implies that the standardisation of halal in a country is imperative in the Muslim-majority or Muslim-minority countries. This study gives a benchmark for the non-Muslim-majority countries which endeavour to embark on the halal industry. Muslim-minority counties that envision to succeed in the global halal market could emulate Thailand’s approach in branding itself as a recognised non-Muslim-majority country in producing certified halal foods and products. Originality/value The paper provides guidelines and standards for Muslim-minority countries that envision success in the global halal market.

Light pollution is an anthropogenic by-product of modern civilization and heavy economical activity, sourced from artificial light. In addition of its detrimental impact on human and ecology, light pollution brightens the night sky, limiting the range of visible astronomical bodies detected by naked-eye. Since it is becoming a global concern for astronomers, the level of light pollution needs to be monitored to study its mark on the astronomical data. Using Sky Quality Meter in the period of 5 months, we investigated the links between city population and its vicinity from the city center towards the profile of the night sky and the limiting magnitude of the naked eye. We eliminate the data factored by clouds and moon brightness on account of it has an adverse effect on sky brightness that could disrupt research on light pollution.

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