Bueng Kan, one of eight Thai provinces along the Mekong River, lies in northern Thailand, bordering Bolikhamsai Province in Laos. As one of Thailand’s least developed provinces, it relies heavily on agriculture, and faces critical water and energy challenges. Bueng Kan’s Bung Khla district, covering 243.6 km² with a population of 13,037, is a key agricultural hub facing challenges in efficient water management.
Addressing Bung Khla’s Water Challenges
To address the challenges, a pilot project supported by the Republic of Korea is being implemented in three villages in Bung Khla – home to 943 households and 2,365 people.
Working since July 2024, the technical team WI.Plat – tasked by the Republic of Korea Science and Technology Policy Institute (STEPI) – has identified key water management issues, including outdated measurement tools, water loss, inefficient manual billing, and poor leak detection. Seasonal fluctuations in Mekong River turbidity also impact water quality, highlighting the need for real-time monitoring and improved treatment processes.
Smart Solutions for Water Efficiency
The Republic of Korea-UNOSSC project is integrating AI-powered leak detection, flowmeters, and mobile sensors for real-time tracking and proactive water loss management.
A digital mobile billing system will streamline payments and improve accuracy. To enhance water treatment, a Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition system will monitor water pressure, flow, and quality, while automated coagulant dosing and advanced water quality testing will ensure compliance with international standards.
Progress and Next Steps
A major milestone in the project has been engaging local community members, including women, in leak detection by equipping them with sensors and mobile applications to collect and analyze leak sound data. Their involvement not only strengthens water management efforts but also creates valuable employment opportunities within the community.
“I used to think that only experts could do this kind of work, but with simple training, I’m glad to contribute to our community’s water management. I hope to have more opportunities like this in the future,” said Phaksiri Kunla, sharing her experience.
The collected data is being used to train an AI model, enabling faster and more precise leak identification. Furthermore, this data will play a crucial role in real-time leak detection and reduction efforts, helping to improve water loss management and optimize maintenance strategies.
Looking ahead, all key smart water system components are projected to be fully installed and operational by May 2025, ensuring more sustainable water management and a resilient water supply for Bung Khla’s communities.
The “Triangular Cooperation Project on Sustainable Development in the Lower Mekong River Basin based on the Water-Energy-Food (WEF) Nexus” (2021-2025)/P-LINK – under the United Nations Fund for South-South Cooperation – aims to strengthen access to water, food and energy for vulnerable communities living in the Lower Mekong Basin (Cambodia, Lao PDR, Thailand, and Viet Nam). The project strengthens development approaches and management in these sectors. It utilizes multi-sectoral approaches in application of high-demand technologies on water, energy and food to improve the livelihoods of people based on South-South and triangular cooperation sharing modalities. The 5-year project is supported by the Ministry of Science and ICT, Republic of Korea. The United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation leads the project in partnership with other institutions, including the Mekong River Commission Secretariat (MRCS), Mekong Institute (MI) and the Science and Technology Policy Institute (STEPI), along with procured technology solutions from the Korean private sector.