Mae Fah Luang University (MFU) held an event to present and share data from the "MFU X Disaster Management" initiative under the Integrated Capacity Building and Disaster Recovery Project (Chiang Rai Model) on 19 March 2026, at the Kham Mok Luang Room, Mae Fah Luang University.
The event was presided over by Mr Rujtisak Rangsri, Deputy Governor of Chiang Rai, who delivered opening remarks and shared policy directions for local disaster management. Dr. Natthawut Yodsuwan, Vice President of Mae Fah Luang University, gave the welcoming address, while Asst. Prof. Nattaphon Rangsaritvorakarn, Acting Assistant Director of the Centre for Academic Services and Project Leader, outlined the project’s background, objectives, and core components. The event brought together about 100 participants, including representatives from government agencies, local administrative organisations, and flood-affected communities across the province.
This initiative stems from a resolution by the MFU Council to authorise the university’s involvement in disaster prevention and mitigation within Chiang Rai. Its core objectives are to strengthen the integration of disaster response plans, minimise flood-related damage, and foster provincial partnerships to establish Chiang Rai as a model city for sustainable disaster resilience.
A highlight of the event was a panel discussion titled "Flooding in Chiang Rai: The Way Forward for Flood Management." The panel featured experts from diverse sectors, including MFU, the Chiang Rai Provincial Health Office, the Office of National Water Resources Region 1, Thai PBS North, the Chiang Rai Provincial Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office, and a community representative from Ban Mueang Ngim, Rim Kok Subdistrict, Mueang Chiang Rai District. The session provided a platform for exchanging multifaceted perspectives and practical approaches to local flood management.
The programme also featured a demonstration of the "Flood Eye: Flood Monitoring System," an intelligent flood monitoring platform featuring integrated hazard mapping developed by the university to support disaster management efforts across Chiang Rai Province. The event concluded with an official ceremony to hand over project signage and spatial data to local communities, providing them with practical tools for disaster preparedness at the local level.
Mr. Rujtisak Rangsri, Deputy Governor of Chiang Rai, emphasised that disaster management relies on accurate data, knowledge, and cross-sector collaboration to effectively analyse situations, plan preventive measures, reduce risks, and support recovery efforts.
.
In line with this vision, Dr. Natthawut Yodsuwan, Vice President of Mae Fah Luang University, reaffirmed the university’s commitment to applying its academic expertise and research to address societal challenges in practical ways, particularly in disaster management, community adaptation, and post-disaster recovery.
Asst. Prof. Nattaphon Rangsaritvorakarn further elaborated that the recent flooding in Chiang Rai highlighted the urgent need for systematic data and tools for disaster management. He explained that the project has developed risk mapping systems, early warning tools, and emergency logistics frameworks, which are being delivered to government agencies and local communities to support future disaster preparedness.
