Thai Air Force and ICT Ministry Collaborate on Disaster Management
The Ministry of ICT and Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF), Thailand have announced a new collaboration and transfer of knowledge programme under a single umbrella as part of its disaster management preparation and plan. MICT Minister Anudith Nakornthap presided over an MOU signing ceremony between the RTAF and MICT, which involved the state telcos, TOT and CAT Telecom, the Electronic Government Agency (EGA), the RTAF’s Directorate of Information and Communication Technology (DICT), and the Royal Thai Air Force Academy (RTAFA). The collaboration is aimed at leveraging ICT network readiness for disaster management. Both agencies will dedicate human resources, facilities, and relevant equipment to set up communities’ ICT Learning Centre and a Wi-Fi network in the RTAF premises. The relevant agencies in the MOU will foster study and research on the use of ICT and space technology, as well as to partner on cybersecurity related issues. “This collaboration will show the government’s determination to integrate resources and effort in fostering the effective use of ICT for the benefit of the citizens,” said Gp Captain Nakornthap.
According to the MOU, the DICT and RTAF will share facilities and equipment and a state-of-the-art radar system currently in production. In case of a disaster, the RTAF will allow the use of the airfield, enabling the use of video down-link systems, and help broadcast warnings from the National Disaster Warning Centre and the Meteorological Department — the two agencies under the MICT — via the RTAF’s communication network. In return, the MICT will equip the RTAF with satellite images, GIS data, and the use of government’s satellite network as a back-up for the RTAF in rescue and rehabilitation activities during the disaster. TOT and CAT Telecom will allow the RTAF to leverage their network infrastructure outside the RTAF’s coverage to facilitate the video down-link system. The two telcos will also provide the RTAF with leased line service and backup data centre at a reduced rate. The EGA will connect the RTAF with its Government Information Network (GIN) both for the RTAF’s headquarters in Bangkok and its branches in the countryside. The EGA will also provide other services it has to the RTAF.