BANGKOK – Representatives from Khon Kaen University’s Faculty of Interdisciplinary Studies presented key research on integrated disaster management at the “Su Chana Phai,” (Fight and Win Against Disasters) workshop on August 15. The event, held at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center as part of the MHESI Fair 2025, was organized by the Program Management Unit for Area-Based Development (PMU-A) to foster collaboration between academic institutions and disaster response agencies.
The forum focused on sharing research and innovations for managing floods and responding to border security threats. Associate Professor Dr. Wanlapa Wongsiritham and Assistant Professor Dr. Nattayanee Jantapoon from Khon Kaen University highlighted a PMU-A-funded project titled “Development of a Disaster Management System and Innovation for Flood Preparedness in At-Risk Areas of Nong Khai Province.”
The project successfully developed three key components to enhance flood resilience: a real-time water database system, a cooperation mechanism involving public, private, and civil society sectors, and a handbook for the economic and livelihood recovery of affected individuals. These tools are designed to strengthen preparedness before, during, and after flood events.
The research has already led to practical applications, with the university collaborating with the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) and the Provincial Social Development and Human Security Office. The project’s academic data is being used to formulate Nong Khai’s official disaster prevention and response plans, ensuring they are tailored to the local context and address the needs of vulnerable groups, including the elderly, children, and people with disabilities.
Building on this success, the Faculty of Interdisciplinary Studies is now leveraging the project’s findings to seek funding for a larger initiative under the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation framework. The proposed project aims to develop an integrated, cross-border disaster management system for the Mekong River Basin, covering areas in both Thailand and Laos, with a goal of promoting sustainable and effective development in the sub-region.
