Inspiring inventions during flood crisis in Thailand (;

People in Thailand are suffering from this crisis, which lasts for some 3 months. Thousands of people are lacking of food and water supplies. They are having difficulties living in filthy floodwater, however Thai people are getting inventive and creative, they are trying to think of new innovations to help them adapt to their current situations, they invented useful devices such as floating toilets, jet skis, and a flood alarm. Thais have been very inventive with minimal resources.

All Thais are worried about their houses and all of their properties. They have to sit and wait for the floodwater to come, you have to stay awake all night because you are concerned that the water will come when you are asleep. Students from Mongkhut University in Bangkok with Baan Arsa Jaidee have created a flood alarm using piping and a ping-pong ball. The rising water presses the ping-pong ball up, which triggers the alarm. I think this is the most creative innovation because we all don’t know when will the floodwater arrive, instead of having to sit and stay awake every night you can take a nap. Just by using simple materials, you can create this valuable flood alarm, it gives you enough warning to get your family to safety. This is the best innovation for me because it is practical, useful and easy to make, it also allows us to have a good sleep not having to worry about the floodwater.

Flood!

Most people were affected by the flood, which hit Thailand. Flooding can be caused by many reasons such as heavy rainfall, tsunamis, and unusual high tides. The flood in Thailand started off heavily in Ayutthaya and Nakornsawan. People who are in that area were lacking of food and water supply. The level of the flood is extremely high which is approximately 1-2 meters, depending on how high or low their location are. As time passed by, the flood started to be uncontrollable, many temporary water barriers fell and the water leaked. 

As my parents told me that the flood was on its way to Bangkok, I was extremely surprised and excited that I could go out and swim! I thought that it would be a great fun, however I was disappointed when I was told that the flood water is polluted and smelly! My dad started buying can food and water supplies. At first, we were thinking about evacuating to Rayong since we have a condo there, but at last, we all decided not to go and look after our new house. My dad’s workers helped him to construct a barrier in front of our house. Our family is well prepared and we are ready for the flood to come. I’ve been waiting for 3 weeks already for the flood to arrive, but nothing happened. I’m bored of staying home for the entire 3 weeks, doing all my homework. What I think will happen next is the water will slowly spread out into different districts in Bangkok because we do not have a good plan to handle the flood. The lower location will probably have a higher level of water.

Since Thailand is known for the world’s largest exporter of rice, and is often called “the rice bowl of Asia”. When the situation in Thailand is getting better, I think the government should take actions to repair all damages and to construct water path ways so rainfall can flow into seas, rivers or canals easily without effecting Thailand’s economy with a good city layout plan.