Ministry of Higher Education and Bangkok Deliver Earthquake Detection Innovation to Boost Hospital Safety
Thailand's Ministry of Higher Education and Bangkok unveiled earthquake detection systems and building monitoring devices at Vajira Hospital to enhance hospital safety nationwide, part of a broader push to develop domestic disaster manageme
On May 7, 2025, at Phetcharat Building, Faculty of Medicine Vajira Hospital, Namamuintratiracha University in Dusit District, Deputy Prime Minister Yotcharin Wongswatdee and Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, along with Bangkok Governor Chatchat Sittiphand, participated in the handover ceremony of safety and disaster management innovations for hospitals—including earthquake vibration detection equipment and building inclination measurement devices.
Yotcharin noted that following the major disasters Thailand faced in 2024, including earthquakes and massive sinkholes in Bangkok and severe flooding in the South, the nation learned that disaster management is not a single agency's responsibility but a national challenge requiring integrated policy, planning, research, and implementation. Since disasters can occur anytime, the critical question is how we can predict and respond effectively. Disaster management innovation is therefore essential, and Thailand must develop its own technology since those on the ground understand local problems best.
The Deputy Prime Minister highlighted today's successful collaboration among various agencies including the Public Works Ministry, Thammasat University, Kasetsart University, and Bangkok, resulting in practical early warning innovations meeting international standards. The pilot program is already underway in Bangkok, with plans to expand to hospitals nationwide to enhance safety, particularly for earthquake alerts crucial to medical equipment management and ICU patient care.
The Ministry of Higher Education stands ready to support infrastructure and AI technology for full research implementation, while streamlining research fund approval processes to be faster and more flexible to meet emergency situations and frontline workers' real needs. The goal is ensuring Thais access quality technology and innovations with international standards at reasonable prices.
"Despite the high-risk challenges in innovation development, the Ministry fully supports all researchers and field workers—you are heroes building safety and peace of mind for all Thai people," Yotcharin concluded.
