Bangkok: Chaichanok has learned lessons from the massive southern floods and is elevating Thailand's warning system to a world-class level, using satellites and AI to increase accuracy, accelerating data integration, and allocating a budget to revive the radio communications network, following in the footsteps of King Rama IX.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Chaichanok Chidchob, Minister of Digital Economy and Society (DE), discussed lessons learned from the severe flooding in southern Thailand and the strategic collaboration between the Meteorological Department and Tomorrow.io to enhance Thailand's early warning system. He emphasized that disaster recovery and relief funds often exceed those spent on prevention, making it time to prioritize disaster prevention and management planning for the future.
Mr. Chaichanok stated that we are now entering a new normal for global climate, which remains unpredictable. Data from international agencies like NOAA indicates that 2024 will be the hottest year on record, and that there are signs of record-breaking ice melt, indicating that climate variability will become more intense and difficult to predict. On his first day in office, he issued a clear policy directing the Meteorological Department to upgrade weather forecasting tools and revamp its data presentation system, ensuring Thailand is prepared for more severe and unusual disasters than in the past.
Mr. Chaichanok stated that after a multi-disciplinary study, the team found that Tomorrow.io is currently the best weather forecasting system in the world. They coordinated with Japan on earthquakes, tsunamis, underwater volcanoes, and floods. He apologized to the public for their efforts, but it was too late. This has brought awareness to the government and all of us and made this idea a national agenda. This is a good sign for dealing with the future. Tomorrow.io is currently the world's leading weather forecasting system, using Low-Orbit Satellite technology. Currently, there are 11 satellites, nine of which use Microwave Sounder technology to precisely monitor weather conditions and humidity. They can penetrate clouds, and the forecast data will be updated every three months.
Furthermore, the platform will utilize AI to process and analyze all data from satellites, the Meteorological Department, the National Water Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning Office, and other agencies to rapidly simulate multidimensional scenarios. Confidence levels are also displayed to provide a percentage of confidence in the occurrence of an event, enabling decision-makers and the public to more accurately analyze and make informed decisions. For example, predicting the likelihood of flooding, lightning, and storms can be done at the sub-district and provincial levels. In the future, more precise analysis of specific areas, such as markets, will be possible to aid in decision-making regarding whether to go out today and whether there will be rain or lightning. This system will not replace the work of all existing agencies, but will provide all parties with a more detailed and consistent data set for analysis.
"We will be conducting a free trial of the system with Tomorrow.io for the first three months to demonstrate its suitability for the Thai system and ensure that data does not compromise security. This will be submitted to the Cabinet for consideration of a long-term contract. The goal is to have the southern model completed within two weeks, in time for next year's rainy season," said the Minister of Digital Economy and Society.
Mr. Chaichanok also discussed lessons learned from crisis communications, where power outages disrupted primary and backup communications, internet, and satellite. The only remaining viable devices were the walkie-talkies (WBs) of rescue volunteers and the amateur radio network. His Majesty King Rama IX once advised that "in a crisis, walkie-talkies are paramount." This has proven true. The Ministry of Digital Economy is preparing to request a budget to support the VHF radio network, a heroic group providing data connectivity in crisis areas. They do not rely on signal towers or electricity, and will provide full support and encouragement, as they are the primary network for crisis assistance. They deserve high praise.
Mr. Chaichanok also addressed data integration, stating that all agencies must expedite API access to the DEA's data center to enable timely data integration during disasters, avoiding the need for individual data protection during normal conditions. Furthermore, laws must be updated to address the obstacles associated with declaring a state of emergency. Previously, it was stated that if a disaster does not occur, relevant agencies must conduct more frequent rehearsals to reduce confusion and anxiety during operations during a major disaster.