BANGKOK, Thailand – Thailand is preparing to distribute 500 innovative warning canes designed to detect electrical leakage in floodwater, helping protect flood victims, emergency personnel and rescue volunteers from potentially fatal electric shocks during flooding and when residents return to their homes after the water recedes.
On October 20, Prof Dr Yodchanan Wongsawat, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, formally received the 500 devices from the Office of Research and Innovation Acceleration for Competitiveness and Area Development (Public Organisation), known as RIA, through its Programme Management Unit on Area-Based Development (PMU A).
Representatives of the research teams behind the inventions attended the handover, including Assoc Prof Wichet Thipprasert, acting president of Rajamangala University of Technology Lanna; Assoc Prof Dr Wanchai Khamsen, a researcher; and Asst Prof Dr Kitti Mueangtum from Uttaradit Rajabhat University.
The delivery comprises two Thai-developed innovations, the Warning Cane, developed by Uttaradit Rajabhat University, and the Life-Changing Cane, developed by Rajamangala University of Technology Lanna. Both devices are designed to scan for electrical leakage in water without requiring direct contact with the suspected source. When a potential hazard is detected, they alert users through LED warning lights and audible signals.
According to flood statistics cited in the announcement, electrocution caused by electrical leakage in floodwater ranked as the second-leading cause of death among flood victims in 2026, after drowning, accounting for approximately one-third of all fatalities. Floodwater can conduct electricity from damaged wiring, electrical appliances and other sources, creating a danger that cannot be seen with the naked eye.
People walking or wading through flooded areas may unknowingly come into contact with electrified water. Rescue workers and volunteers face similar risks when entering affected areas to help residents.
To address this problem, RIA, through PMU A, supported the development of the two warning-cane technologies. Their non-contact detection systems are intended to help users identify possible electrical hazards before entering flooded areas or approaching potentially dangerous locations.
The innovations have undergone practical testing, with the results supporting their deployment for public safety. The devices have now been handed over to the government for distribution to communities affected by flooding, as well as officials and volunteer rescue teams working in high-risk areas.
The canes are intended for use during active flooding and when inspecting homes and surrounding areas before residents return after floodwaters recede. The latter is particularly important because damaged electrical systems may continue to pose a danger even after water levels fall.
Yodchanan said the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation attached great importance to applying science, research and innovation to solve problems and assist the public during emergencies. He referred to losses caused by electrical leakage during recent floods and said the inventions demonstrated the capabilities of Thai researchers in developing practical technologies that can save lives.
He said all 500 devices would be passed on to flood victims, government personnel and rescue volunteers in vulnerable areas to help warn them of the hidden danger of electricity leaking into floodwater. The initiative supports the government’s aim of ensuring residents can return to their homes with greater confidence after flooding, under the principle that returning home must also mean returning safely.
