Thailand Water Committee Launches 2026 Network Forum
Thailand's irrigation committee launched a three-day forum in July 2026 at Kasetsart University to share knowledge on water management, smart technology, and climate resilience strategies among academics, farmers, and government officials.
The Thai Committee on Irrigation and Drainage (THAICID) officially opened the "THAICID Network Week for Integrated Knowledge Exchange 2026" (THAICID-NWIKS 2026) under the theme "Smarter Water for a Stronger Future." The event serves as a central platform for exchanging knowledge, research, technology, and innovation in irrigation, drainage, and water management, while building collaborative networks to address climate change challenges and advance Thailand's water management toward sustainability.
Held on July 8, 2026, at Kasetsart University's 80-year building in Kamphaeng Saen, Nakhon Pathom province, Dr. Vachira Suadi, advisor to the Royal Irrigation Department's director-general and THAICID committee consultant, officially opened the event through the symbolic "Key of Knowledge," representing the opening of doors to integrated knowledge exchange, innovation, and water collaboration. This reflects THAICID-NWIKS 2026's role in connecting people, knowledge, technology, and collaborative networks to collectively advance Thailand's water management future. The event was chaired by Yongyos Niyamtrap, a civil engineering expert in planning and projects at the Royal Irrigation Department, alongside Dr. Nophadol Kovsuwan, deputy director of Irrigation Office 11, who serves as vice-chair of THAICID's academic committee. The event drew widespread participation from academics, researchers, government and private sector representatives, educational institutions, farmers, water user groups, and international network partners.
THAICID-NWIKS 2026 runs from July 8–10, 2026, with three days of activities spanning policy level, global technology, academic research, and practical applications in agriculture and communities. July 8 features the 19th National Symposium on Irrigation and Drainage, with special sessions from senior ICID officials and Thailand's water policy leaders presenting future water management visions covering smart irrigation, IoT, remote sensing, digital water technology, flood and drought-resilient cities, participatory water governance, and AI applications for water and agricultural management, supplemented by invited and peer-reviewed papers from diverse experts.
July 9 hosts "Dongtan Software Day," presenting smart water management technology and software knowledge from world-leading organizations including the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Deltares, Kasetsart University, and Panya Consultant Co., Ltd. Topics include reservoir sediment management, water forecasting, flood risk management, emergency dam-break planning, salinity prediction, and water quality monitoring systems for agriculture.
July 10 features an INWEPF-Thailand forum titled "Future Farming and Water-Efficient Rice Cultivation: Chapter 7 - Full Harvest with the Wet-Dry Alternation Model," sharing knowledge on rice field water management, alternate wetting and drying techniques, and expansion to irrigated areas through practical experience exchange.
