Ayutthaya: GISTDA has proposed the application of space and geospatial technology to support water resource management and address flooding and drought problems in the central region of Thailand. At the first meeting of the Committee on Flood and Drought Prevention and Mitigation in the Central Region, held in Ayutthaya Province in 2026 and chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas, the focus was on integrating cooperation and determining effective preparedness, prevention, and mitigation guidelines for managing floods and droughts.
According to Thai News Agency, Dr. Pakorn Apaphanth, Director of the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA), presented the agency's capabilities in developing a decision support system for water resource management. This system utilizes spatial data from satellites to monitor soil moisture, analyze flood risk areas in near real-time, assess water resources, and generate forecasts of trends. The system supports relevant agencies in planning and managing water resources and preparing responses to situations accurately and quickly. It involves the application and integration of satellite data, geospatial technology, ground survey systems, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and spatial models to continuously monitor, track, analyze, forecast, and assess flood and drought situations.
Furthermore, GISTDA showcased its 'Drought Check' platform, which assesses drought risk indices at the plot-level and forecasts trends in at-risk areas six months in advance. This platform aids in water allocation planning, planting planning, agricultural land management, and mitigating impacts on agriculture. Simultaneously, GISTDA developed the 'Water Check' platform for monitoring water situations, analyzing flood-prone areas, assessing impacts, and providing near real-time alerts to support effective flood management.
Dr. Pakorn Apaphanth stated that GISTDA is prepared to leverage its space technology and geospatial information capabilities to support operations by the government and related agencies, providing accurate and up-to-date spatial data. This will enhance water resource management efficiency, reduce flood and drought risks, and support policy decision-making.
Deputy Prime Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas issued policy directives to enhance flood and drought management in the region. He tasked GISTDA and related agencies with compiling data and maps of disaster-prone areas, analyzing impacts, improving risk communication to the public, and accelerating awareness campaigns in high-risk areas. The directives also included integrating data for proactive water management measures and considering cloud seeding to minimize impacts.
Managing floods and droughts requires a comprehensive approach, prioritizing prevention and risk reduction before disasters occur. Establishing procedures for public care during emergencies and developing communication plans to ensure timely information dissemination are crucial. Public participation is also emphasized to effectively monitor, prepare for, and respond to disasters.
GISTDA confirms its readiness to support operations to assist people at all levels, aiming to reduce loss of life and property and strengthen the country's water resource security through accurate and timely spatial data. Websites disseminating information on drought and water levels are available for public access.