SI-017-01 :
National Water Intelligence &
Integrated Flood-Drought Management System

Situation

Thailand’s water system today operates as a fragmented, reactive, and partially coordinated network, rather than a unified national system.

Key characteristics:

• Multiple agencies manage different parts of the water cycle (irrigation, urban drainage, dams, disaster response)

• Data is siloed, delayed, and not fully integrated

• Decision-making is often reactive, based on immediate events rather than predictive intelligence

• Infrastructure is designed based on historical patterns, not future climate variability

This leads to a recurring national paradox:

👉 Flood in one region — drought in another, at the same time

Examples:

• Central plains flooded during monsoon

• Northeastern regions facing drought simultaneously

• Urban flooding in Bangkok despite upstream water scarcity

Now imagine the system as it currently behaves:

Rain falls → water flows uncontrolled →
Some areas overwhelmed → others receive nothing →
Emergency response activates → damage control begins

Thailand does not lack water.
👉 It lacks control, coordination, and intelligence over water

Shift

Globally, water management is evolving from:

👉 “Passive infrastructure systems”
→ to
👉 “Active, intelligent, real-time managed networks”

Three critical shifts are happening:

1. From Static to Dynamic Water Systems

Traditional systems:

• Fixed dams

• Fixed canals

• Manual control

Future systems:

• Adaptive flow control

• Real-time optimization

• Dynamic routing of water

2. From Reaction to Prediction

Instead of responding to floods/droughts:

Systems now:

• Predict rainfall patterns

• Model river basin behavior

• Simulate water distribution scenarios

3. From Fragmentation to Integration

Water systems become:

• Nationally coordinated

• Digitally connected

• Cross-sector integrated

Water is treated as:
👉 A strategic national resource system

Now imagine:

Before heavy rain arrives →
System predicts water volume →
Reservoirs adjust → canals reroute → flood zones prepared

Or during drought:

Water is redistributed intelligently across regions →
Agriculture continues → economic impact minimized

That is:
👉 Water as a controlled system, not a natural gamble

Advantage

Thailand has a strong foundation to build a world-class water intelligence system.

1. Existing Physical Infrastructure Network

Thailand already has:

• Extensive canal systems (คลอง)

• Dams and reservoirs

• Irrigation networks

This provides:
👉 A physical backbone ready for intelligent upgrade

2. River Basin Structure

Major river systems (e.g. Chao Phraya basin) allow:

• Centralized water flow management

• Scalable basin-level control

3. Agricultural Integration

Water system directly links to:

• National food production

• Rural economy

Meaning:
👉 Improvements generate immediate economic impact

4. Strong Government Coordination Potential

With proper design:
👉 Thailand can unify water governance under a single strategic system

Additional Structural Advantage

Thailand can build a National Water Intelligence Platform (NWIP)—a fully integrated system.

1. Nationwide Sensor & Data Grid

Imagine:

• Sensors across rivers, canals, reservoirs, farmland

• Satellite data integration

• Weather systems feeding real-time input

All connected into:
👉 A central water intelligence system

2. AI-Driven Water Management Engine

• Predict floods weeks in advance

• Simulate multiple water flow scenarios

• Optimize reservoir releases

• Balance water distribution nationwide

Water decisions become:
👉 data-driven, not guess-driven

3. Smart Infrastructure Layer

Upgrade physical systems to be:

• Digitally controlled gates

• Automated pumping systems

• Dynamic canal routing

Infrastructure becomes:
👉 responsive and adaptive

4. Integrated Flood-Drought Balancing System

Instead of treating flood and drought separately:

• Excess water stored and redirected

• Drought regions supplied proactively

• Seasonal balancing optimized

Thailand moves from:
👉 “problem switching” → to “system balancing”

5. Urban Water Integration (Bangkok Model)

Bangkok evolves into:

• Smart drainage systems

• Underground water retention

• Flood-resilient zoning

City becomes:
👉 water-adaptive, not water-vulnerable

6. Public & Farmer Interface Layer

• Real-time water data apps

• Farming guidance systems

• Early warning alerts

People become:
👉 participants in the system, not victims of it

Implication

If Thailand does not upgrade:

• Flood and drought cycles will intensify

• Economic losses will increase

• Agricultural stability will decline

• Urban risks (especially Bangkok) will grow

But if successful:

Imagine this clearly:

Thailand becomes a country where:

• Flood damage is minimized

• Drought impact is controlled

• Agriculture becomes stable and predictable

• Water becomes a managed national asset

Investors and industries gain confidence because:

👉 “Thailand controls its environmental risk”

Thailand transforms into:

👉 “A Water-Intelligent Nation”

Where water is not a threat—
but a strategically managed advantage

Action Layer