27 March 2024 – The Climate Coastal and Marine Biodiversity project (CCMB) under GIZ Thailand partnered with the Department of Climate Change and Environment (DCCE) to organise “The Expert Consultation Meeting to Develop Collaboration Opportunities in Establishing and Providing Climate Information Services in Thailand”. The meeting aimed to conduct a stocktaking of Thailand’s climate information operation and strengthen collaboration among climate model experts from various sectors, including government agencies, academic institutions and international organisations to support the development of climate services in Thailand.

“Under the Draft Climate Change Act, the DCCE has the mandate to access necessary climate data from relevant agencies to develop a climate risk profile and disseminate this to the boarder public. This will increase the adaptive capacity and enhance the country’s climate resilience,” said Teerapong Laopongpith, Director of Climate Change Risk Assessment Section of DCCE.

The National Framework for Climate Services is the basis for climate adaptation, linking knowledge with action on the ground. Dr. Chalump Oonariya, Meteorologist of the Meteorological Development Division, Thai Meteorological Department, illustrated the integration of climate information into climate change adaptation in different sectors through previous and current project implementation such as the Climate Field School, Integrated Urban Climate Action for Low–Carbon and Resilient Cities (Urban-Act), and Strengthening Climate – Smart Rice Farming in Thailand.

Dr. Atsamon Limsakul, Director of Climate Change Adaptation Research Section of DCCE, showcased the Thailand Adaptation Information Platform (T-Plat INFO), highlighting the user-friendly interface and climate information visualisation features. The conceptual framework for climate information platform was shown, illustrating the data journey starting from data collecting, through data generating to information utilisation.

The meeting also covered the monitoring and maintenance of climate information products and addressed key challenges related to the climate information services, particularly the users’ limited access to essential climate data. Data providers stepped in to bridge this gap by carefully addressing user needs.

Following the consultation, the climate model experts agreed to establish a network to facilitate knowledge exchange, information provision and experience sharing on climate models. They also plan to organise a series of in-depth climate information workshops as the next step, which CCMB, under GIZ Thailand, will facilitate and provide support in establishing the Climate Information Services of Thailand.