KKU Showcases ‘Water Way Watch’ Innovation at Thailand Research Expo 2026 to Resolve Khon Kaen Urban Flooding Sustainably

30 June 2026
09:53

An intelligent water management system integrates AI and real-time sensors to bridge inter-municipal boundaries and mitigate extreme weather risks.

On 24 June 2026, Associate Professor Supasit Khonyai, Ph.D., Deputy Director for Strategic Drive and Digital at the Office of Academic Service and a faculty member of the Faculty of Engineering at Khon Kaen University, alongside a team of students, presented a research presentation on “Water Way Watch”. The session, titled “Water Way Watch: An Intelligent Rain and Canal Water Level Surveillance System for Sustainable Urban Water Management”, took place during the Thailand Research Expo 2026 at the World Ballroom, 23rd Floor of the Centara Grand & Bangkok Convention Centre at CentralWorld, Bangkok.

Associate Professor Khonyai revealed the origins of the research, noting that Khon Kaen has experienced rapid economic growth, which has frequently resulted in urban flash floods. This research project was specifically developed to resolve drainage bottlenecks between adjacent administrative zones, specifically Ban Ped Town Municipality (around the Bueng Nong Kot area) and Khon Kaen City Municipality (around the Bueng Thung Sang area). Previously, water management was constrained by independent, fragmented operations of floodgates based strictly on municipal boundaries.

Innovation for Precise and Timely Water Management

The “Water Way Watch” system is a flagship initiative of the Smart City Operational Centre (SCOO), featuring key proprietary technologies:

- Smart Sensor System: Weather-resistant, industrial-grade sensors operate via internally researched and manufactured control boards to precisely measure rainfall and water levels against Mean Sea Level (MSL).
- Real-time Data Transmission: Environmental data is transmitted online via Wi-Fi or cellular networks directly to a centralised database for immediate processing.
- Online Floodgate Automation: The system replaces slow, manual operations, which are highly challenging during active floods—with an online command interface capable of adjusting floodgates within 2–3 minutes.
- AI Integration: Future iterations will incorporate Artificial Intelligence to synchronise the operations of all 7–8 urban floodgates, ensuring optimal collaborative drainage.

Integrating Inter-Agency Collaboration for Public Benefit

Associate Professor Khonyai emphasized that Khon Kaen University serves as a central coordinator linking multiple stakeholders, including Ban Ped Town Municipality, Khon Kaen City Municipality, and the Department of Public Works and Town & Country Planning. This collaboration ensures an integrated retention basin system and synchronized water flow management, preventing localized flooding caused by poorly timed discharges.

“As future weather patterns become increasingly severe—manifesting as extreme rainfall and El Niño phenomena—having a highly accurate surveillance system will empower authorities and citizens to prepare effectively and mitigate flood risks sustainably,” Associate Professor Khonyai concluded.

Beyond local problem-solving, this research reflects the steadfast commitment of Khon Kaen University to driving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) across multiple dimensions:

SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure): Developing resilient, modern infrastructure and innovation for water management.
SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities): Supporting Khon Kaen in becoming a safe, disaster-resilient, and sustainably growing city.
SDG 13 (Climate Action): Building adaptive systems to handle climate change impacts, particularly extreme rainfall and El Niño.
SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals): Serving as an institutional hub to bridge operational gaps between local municipalities and government departments for seamless water management.