Chiang Rai Deploys AI and Drones for Advanced Flood Defense

Chiang Rai province is taking a significant step forward in preventing future flood disasters by implementing advanced solutions powered by AI and drones. The local province has officially partnered with the National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT) to launch high-tech tools aimed at enhancing the safety of its communities. Provincial leaders unveiled their new plans at a major press conference on August 1, introducing innovative safety tools that include AI forecasting and sophisticated smart drones. These modern technologies are designed to assist local rescue teams in spotting danger well before it materializes. Learning from the heavy damage and heartbreak caused by massive floods across the region in 2024, local government leaders are actively putting advanced prevention plans into action to protect residents. Deputy Governor Mr. Prasert Jitpleecheep expressed confidence in the province’s updated safety strategy, emphasizing that improved early warning systems are a top priority. The new technology will enable search and rescue teams to respond much faster than before. Dr. Wiparat De-ong, Director of the NRCT, fully supports this vital public safety mission and confirmed that the smart tools are ready for real-time field deployment. Several leading Thai universities collaborated on developing these defense systems. Chiang Mai University created the FloodBoy, an innovative tracking tool using advanced AI and blockchain technology to closely monitor water levels. Experts at Kasetsart University designed a reliable landslide alert system, while Rajabhat Chiang Rai University developed the Hydro Vision Plus AI software. All these smart tools are linked to a unified national disaster alert network. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sucharit Koontanakulvong, who leads the national disaster management initiative “Secure Water, No Floods, No Droughts,” explained the goal of consolidating all warning data onto a single smart digital platform. This facilitates quicker decision-making for officials, allowing them to alert communities long before floodwaters rise, thereby buying precious time for safe evacuations and property protection. Unmanned aerial drones also play a crucial role in this new disaster safety strategy. The RC Airplane Sports Association provides these essential flying tools for emergency operations, enabling rapid surveying of dangerous areas without unnecessary risk to human rescue workers. This strong provincial partnership serves as a prime example of how applied science can save lives, setting a benchmark for other Thai provinces to follow. Information source: Chiang Rai Times