Bangkok: Mallika, the Bangkok gubernatorial candidate, braved the rain in the MCOT alley to unveil her plan to solve the flooding problem.
According to Thai News Agency, Ms. Mallika Boonmeetrakul Mahasuk, candidate for Bangkok Governor number 14, visited the Channel 9 MCOT station on Soi Thaveemit, behind Central Rama 9, to promote her policy of “Flood Radar: Early Warning System for the Safety of All Lives.” This system utilizes data on rainfall, water levels, canals, roads, traffic, and water pumps, connected to a central AI system in real-time across the city.
The “AI Flood Command Center Bangkok” model integrates data from radar, CCTV, sensors, drones, water pumps, traffic, and public reports on a single screen. The AI will generate a real-time Bangkok Flood Map, instantly showing which districts are at risk, which roads are flooded, where urgent pumping is needed, and where immediate deployment of personnel is required. A pilot project over 12 months will focus on Din Daeng, Huai Khwang, Chatuchak, Lat Phrao, Watthana, Bang Khen, Sai Mai, Lak Si, Bang Na, and Prawet districts, chosen because these areas have a history of recurring floods and high economic density.
The goal is to provide 1-3 hours’ notice of rainfall and 30-60 minutes’ notice of flooding, reducing recurring flood zones by 50% and reducing drainage time after rainfall by 60%. This involves integrating AI Traffic, AI Flood, and AI CCTV into a single system. This is the concept of ‘AI-X Band Smart Flood Bangkok,’ which can be developed into a flagship policy for the Bangkok Governor, using AI as the central brain and X-Band Radar as the city’s eyes for 24/7 flood monitoring.
The plan includes several steps, starting with the installation of an AI radar network covering Bangkok. The key component is the X-Band Radar. AI Water Sensors will be installed throughout the city, with 3,000-5,000 sensors at key locations like manhole openings, main canals, drainage tunnels, pumping stations, underpasses, and flood-prone roads to provide real-time information.
A Digital Twin of Bangkok will be created to simulate the entire city virtually. The AI will predict floods in advance by analyzing data from the Flood Risk Score to determine safe, monitoring, high-risk, and critical levels, providing predictions 30 minutes to 6 hours in advance.
An Automatic Pumping Control System will automate tasks such as turning on pumps, closing and opening floodgates, and accelerating drainage before actual flooding occurs, significantly reducing decision-making time. AI will also detect clogged pipes using CCTV, AI drones, AI, and robot inspection to detect debris, grease, and obstructions blocking pipes and canals, and automatically notify authorities before flooding occurs.
The AI system will manage traffic during floods by connecting with the AI Traffic system. When the AI detects that a road is about to be flooded, the system will change traffic lights, adjust routes, notify Google Maps, inform bus drivers, and notify emergency vehicles immediately, preventing traffic congestion and avoiding exacerbating the flooding problem.
Area-specific notifications will be provided to the public via Line OA, Bangkok App, SMS, and smart signs. Furthermore, AI Drone Response to Emergencies will involve autonomous drone flight checks for water levels and blockages, locating stranded individuals on power lines, and instantly sending images to the command center, reducing survey time from several hours to just a few minutes.
Therefore, this alert is very important, and at the same time, the sample coordinate verification today will serve as a practical model for action.