A Thai agency aims to be a hub for the Asean
region in terms of geo-informatics and space technology development to help the
region deal with economic, social and environmental issues, including
disasters.
"Lots
of people know us - the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency
(GISTDA) - only as an agency that helps survey disasters and provides satellite
images to update disaster situations.
"But,
our role covers many more areas. We can help Thailand and even Asean with many
issues," GISTDA executive director Anond Snidvongs told a press conference
in Bangkok on Tuesday. The event, entitled Thailand Truth Untold, outlined
GISTDA's mission and current projects.
Under a
strategic plan entitled GISTDA: Delivering Values from Space, images from the
Thailand earth observation satellite (THEOS) called Thaichote, and other
satellites, would be used when surveying and creating maps for natural
resources and environment management.
This
would be useful for land use, water resources, coastal erosion and border area
surveys, city planning, and pollution caused by oil leaking into the sea, Anond
said.
Space
Krenovation Park (SKP) will be the centre for training people whose jobs or
duties involve satellites across Asean. It will become the hub of information
exchange for them, according to Anond. He said Thailand already swaps
information about disasters with other countries in Asean, but he expected more
exchange would be done after the Asean Economic Community takes effect.
"Also,
we aim to [attract] entrepreneurs to make use of geo-informatics and space
technology and develop relevant businesses - while our partner universities
will provide experts and graduate students to learn and help entrepreneurs when
they conduct research together," he said.
Somjet
Tinapong, chairman of the executive committee of GISTDA, said 40 per cent of
SKP's construction is complete. Anond expected it would begin using some
buildings inside the park by next month.
Helping
flood control will be an important role for the project.
"With
help from Japan, the government and GISTDA are surveying the height of the
ground in 60,000 square metre areas around 20 provinces from Phitsanulok to
Bangkok. "Being familiar with different ground heights, we'll be able to
predict the volume of flood waters accurately. This will help authorities
manage water release more effectively," Anond said.
A book
titled the World of Water, featuring articles and satellite images of last
year's huge floods, has been launched. Incomes from its sales will be presented
to His Majesty the King to assist disaster-affected people.
WANNAPA
KHAOPA
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