Bangkok:The Meteorological Department clarified that the three-month trial of Tomorrow.io's weather forecasting technology has ended, with no further obligations for procurement. The department is now focusing on enhancing its high-performance computing systems and studying artificial intelligence (AI) to improve forecasting speed and accuracy.
According to Thai News Agency, the trial of Tomorrow.io was conducted as a case study to evaluate the effectiveness of AI technology. Historical data, including from the Hat Yai incident, was processed to assess the technology's performance. The department also shared the same data set with other agencies, including Prince of Songkla University, to compare results against actual events and inform future weather forecasting system development.
The trial period for Tomorrow.io lasted from December 2025 to February 2026, with no associated costs or obligations to continue the project. The department reported the trial to the Cabinet, acknowledging no requirement to purchase the technology. Mr. Nattawut Dandee, Deputy Director-General, noted that the evaluation had limitations, as only partial radar data was used, with critical national data withheld.
This experiment aims to provide comparative data to determine the future direction of system development. The Meteorological Department plans to enhance its computing capabilities, which have been in use since 2015, to manage the increasing volume of meteorological data. Upgrades will allow for faster data processing and more timely forecasting analysis. Additionally, plans include utilizing graphics processing units (GPUs) for AI processing and developing machine learning using radar, surface weather, and satellite data to learn weather patterns in Thailand.
Mr. Nattawut emphasized that enhancing computer systems and integrating AI will support the development of forecasting models, improving accuracy at regional levels and enabling more frequent and timely data updates in affected areas.