The rubble has been cleared. The repairs are underway. Now, three months after an earthquake rattled buildings in Bangkok, America’s top engineering institute is offering the city’s governor solid options for the latest in disaster management and prevention.

Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt convened with academics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and specialists from the American private sector during a conference in the capital at the end of June. They presented the gathering with new approaches and solutions in the ever-evolving field of disaster management and prevention.

Organized by the American Chamber of Commerce in Thailand and the United States Embassy, the "Disaster Management Conference: Technology, Innovation, and Research for Effective Disaster Response and Prevention" was also attended by other Thai government and city officials and Thai pubdlic safety experts.

The conference followed a 7.7-magnitude earthquake on March 28 in central Myanmar which damaged structures in 18 Thai provinces. A high-rise under construction collapsed in Bangkok, causing significant casualties.  

Governor Chadchart emphasized that disasters are becoming more frequent and complex. Some of the factors contributing to the complexity include global warming and urbanization, which leads to increased population density and more intricate infrastructure. As an example, he cited the COVID-19 pandemic, noting its more severe impact in urban areas due to higher population density.

U.S. Ambassador Robert Godec heighted  how new technologies could aid in rescue efforts. He pointed to the U.S. military’s state-of-the-art remote sensing device that helped Thai-led search and rescue teams at the collapsed building in Bangkok.

The device assisted the teams by detecting 70 potential spots for victims deep within the SAO building rubble, a “tangible difference this new technology was making on the ground,” Godec said.

Two MIT scientists also m ade presentations on topics such as risk assessments using artificial intelligence to be better prepared for catastrophic events, and how communities can leverage design and technology to increase resilience against climate risks like flooding, cyclones, heat stress, and seismic disasters.

Godec concluded the event by quoting Benjamin Franklin who once said: “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” He urged everyone to prepare so that all involved could create a safer and more prosperous future.

Photo: https://th.usembassy.gov