The Ramkhamhaeng University Flood of 2026 (B.E. 2569)

According to Thai PBS (thaipbs.or.th), floodwater at Ramkhamhaeng University between 25 September and 1 October 2026 (B.E. 2569) reached almost 2 metres in some spots and stayed for about six days. More than half of the university's 65 buildings were affected, damage was estimated at over 200 million baht, and the event was described as the worst in roughly four decades. Affected buildings included the Institute of Computer Technology, the Faculty of Education, the Central Library, the demonstration school, the sports centre and the medical service unit.

The same report said the university planned to reopen classes on 5 October and to keep final exams on schedule from 14 to 28 October. It also chose not to pump its floodwater out into the surrounding community. That detail matters: a large campus is part of a neighbourhood, and every decision after a flood has to consider students, staff and neighbours together.

At the national level, the Government Public Relations Department (PRD), citing the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation as of 06:00 on 7 October 2026 (B.E. 2569), reported flooding in 27 provinces plus Bangkok, covering 123 districts, 984 subdistricts and 1,154,875 households, with more than 3.1 million people affected (prd.go.th). Many universities, colleges and dormitories across Thailand face the same question this year: how do we make our buildings clean and usable again as fast as possible?

Example Case: A Facilities Manager With Only Days Before Classes Resume

Note: this is a typical scenario compiled from situations commonly seen at educational institutions after floods. It does not describe any specific person and does not claim to describe events at Ramkhamhaeng University.

Somchai, facilities manager at a Bangkok university, stands in front of a lecture building on the first morning the water is low enough to walk through. The ground floor is coated in dark brown mud. Steel desks carry a waterline at waist height, the restroom walls show a clear flood mark, and a musty smell drifts out of a records room that has been shut all week. He has only a few days before classes restart and less than three weeks before final exams, when thousands of students will fill the exam halls.

His team has about twenty cleaners, a handful of hand pump sprayers, mops and ordinary detergent. Everyone starts scraping mud at dawn. When he reaches the disinfection step, he does the maths: pumping and spraying room by room, the team would need several days for a single building, while the library, the sports centre, the computer labs and the dormitories are all still waiting.

That night he searches for "wide-area disinfection sprayer" and "backpack mistblower". He does not need a miracle. He needs a tool that lets the same team do several times more work, indoors and outdoors, and that will still be useful for years every time the rainy season returns. This is where many institutions first meet the SOLO PORT 423.

Why Campuses Need Wide-Area Disinfection After a Flood

Urban floodwater is not just rainwater. Water that flows across roads, through drains, manholes and neighbourhoods carries household wastewater, sewage, rubbish and animal urine into buildings. When it recedes, these contaminants stay in the mud and on floors, walls, furniture and hidden corners. Germs linked to floods fall into three broad groups:

• Bacteria such as E. coli and Salmonella from sewage, which cause diarrhoea and food poisoning, plus the risk of leptospirosis from Leptospira bacteria found in standing water and wet soil.
• Viruses such as norovirus and rotavirus, which spread quickly where people share restrooms, and respiratory viruses such as influenza and RSV, which pass easily when crowds return to damp classrooms and dormitories.
• Moulds that grow fast on gypsum boards, ceiling panels, carpets, curtains, mattresses and paper, producing musty odours and triggering allergies or asthma in some students and staff.

What sets a university apart from a home is density. A single lecture room may hold dozens or hundreds of students, exam halls are packed during finals, and dormitories share restrooms, laundry rooms and canteens. Handrails, door handles, desks, lift buttons and sinks become shared touch points. If a flooded building is not disinfected thoroughly, a small health problem can turn into an outbreak in a class or a dormitory block.

One principle comes first: disinfection follows cleaning. Shovel out the mud, wash with clean water and detergent, ventilate and dry, and only then apply a registered disinfectant according to its label. The sprayer simply distributes the product quickly and evenly; the germ-reducing performance belongs to the disinfectant you choose. Anyone with fever, calf pain, diarrhoea or a rash after wading through floodwater should see a doctor promptly. Spraying is never a substitute for medical care.

The Hidden Pain Points for Universities and Dormitories

Huge floor area. A university is not only classrooms. It has libraries, sports centres, canteens, laboratories, faculty offices, car parks, covered walkways and dormitories. When more than half of a campus is hit at once, disinfection covers tens of thousands of square metres. It is not an afternoon job.

Limited labour. The same cleaning crew must scrape mud, carry out damaged furniture, wash floors and spray disinfectant. Many of them are flood victims at home too. Slow, repetitive methods wear a team out quickly.

Time pressure. The academic calendar does not wait. Opening day and exam dates are already announced, and tens of thousands of students have planned travel, study and housing around them. If buildings are not ready, moving exam rooms or rescheduling causes a chain of problems.

Student and staff health. Students returning to dorms that still smell musty and carry mould may suffer allergies, coughs or stomach upsets that hurt their studies and exam performance. Staff with chronic conditions or who are pregnant face higher risk.

Reputation and trust. Parents follow flood news closely. The first thing they ask is: "Has the building been cleaned and disinfected?" An institution that can answer with confidence and a clear plan earns more trust. For private dormitories near campus this is even more critical, because tenants can move out the moment they feel unsafe.

Valuable assets and records. Libraries, archives and computer labs hold books, official documents and electronics that must be sorted and moved before spraying. Poor planning can cause secondary damage, so the team needs a tool that controls spray direction and output.

Why Hand Pumps, Spray Bottles and Wiping Cloths Fall Short at Campus Scale

• Hand pump sprayers need constant pumping, produce coarse and uneven droplets, and reach only a short distance. The operator must walk up to every surface, which is slow and tiring, and output drops unnoticed as pressure falls.
• Spray bottles and cloths are fine for door handles or lecturer desks, but they cannot cover high walls, under desks, under dormitory beds or stairwells in the time available.
• Pouring disinfectant from buckets wastes product, leaves floors soaked for hours and adds moisture to buildings that are already damp, which is the opposite of what you want after a flood.
• Small electric sprayers need a socket. In buildings that have just flooded, ground floor wiring may not yet have been checked, and running cables through wet areas is a risk no one should take.

The team ends up choosing between thorough but slow, or fast but patchy. Neither works for a university with opening day and exams looming. What is needed is a tool that makes fine droplets, blows them a long way, runs without mains power and lets one person cover far more area.

The Answer for Universities: The SOLO PORT 423 Backpack Mistblower

The SOLO PORT 423 is an engine-powered backpack mistblower made by SOLO Kleinmotoren GmbH in Germany. Its engine drives a powerful fan that creates a strong air stream, and the spray liquid is released into that air stream at the end of the spray tube. The liquid breaks up into fine mist and is carried much further than a hand pump can push it, so one operator can treat a large area in much less time.

World Health Disinfection (WHD) sells this unit to government agencies and large organisations, including educational institutions. WHD's product page lists schools, hospitals, public areas, factories and shopping malls among its applications.

Key specifications, according to SOLO (manufacturer data)

• Single-cylinder 2-stroke engine, displacement 72.3 cm³
• Power 3.0 kW (4.1 HP)
• Spray liquid tank 12 L
• Maximum air flow 1,400 m³/h
• Horizontal reach about 12 m
• Dry weight about 11.0 kg
• Sound pressure at the operator 97 dB(A), so hearing protection is mandatory

In addition, according to WHD's product information, the unit is described as a ULV sprayer producing droplets below 30 microns, which saves chemical. WHD also lists a 1.4 L fuel tank, a float carburettor, electronic ignition, a Nikasil-coated cylinder, quality engine components, a UV-resistant translucent tank with a wide filler, a one-hand control lever combining throttle, dosing and stop, a padded harness and 4-point anti-vibration mounts. Actual droplet size depends on the nozzle and settings.

Nozzles that help indoors and outdoors

The unit comes with an adjustable misting nozzle, a long-reach nozzle, a wide-angle grille and a deflector screen, and the spray tube can be rotated. Use the wide-angle grille in lecture halls and lobbies, and the long-reach nozzle for open courtyards, covered walkways and exterior walls. For other optional kits in the SOLO range, ask the WHD team before ordering.

A mistblower, not a thermal fogger

Many people search for "thermal fogger" when they think of wide-area spraying. The SOLO PORT 423 is not one. A thermal fogger uses heat to turn the liquid into visible white smoke. The SOLO PORT 423 uses a strong air stream to break the liquid into mist without heat, which suits water-based disinfectants on indoor surfaces and avoids the dense smoke that blocks visibility or sets off smoke detectors in academic buildings.

10 Reasons Universities and Student Dormitories Should Own a SOLO PORT 423

1. One operator does the work of several. A maximum air flow of 1,400 m³/h (manufacturer data) spreads mist across large lecture rooms faster than hand spraying.
2. No mains power needed. The engine lets you work in buildings whose ground floor wiring has not yet been cleared after the flood.
3. Large 12 L tank. Fewer refills and fewer trips back to the mixing point, ideal for long, multi-storey buildings.
4. About 12 m of reach. Covers high walls, ceilings, courtyards and walkways between buildings.
5. Fine mist, less chemical. According to WHD, droplets are below 30 microns, leaving a thin, even film instead of soaking the building. See the product details
6. Adjustable nozzles. Wide-angle for classrooms and dormitories, long-reach for sports centres and car parks.
7. German build quality. According to WHD, quality components and a Nikasil cylinder suit heavy use over many years.
8. Useful all year, not only after floods. Disinfect before each semester, before exams, after large events, or for pest control with properly registered products.
9. Less dependence on outside contractors. Your facilities team can respond at once instead of waiting in a queue when the whole city needs help. Request a quote
10. Confidence for parents and students. An institution with its own equipment and a clear disinfection plan can communicate transparently that buildings are ready.

Before and After: Campus Disinfection With a Backpack Mistblower

Step by Step: Disinfecting Classrooms and Dormitories After a Flood

1. Check building safety first. Have an electrician inspect ground floor switchboards and sockets, isolate power in wet zones, and check ceilings, structure and stairs for hazards.
2. Zone and prioritise. Start with what is needed first: exam halls, dormitories, canteens, shared restrooms and the medical unit. Then move to offices, storerooms and open areas.
3. Remove damaged items and records. Take out soaked mattresses, carpets, swollen ceiling boards and wet paper. Move usable books, documents and electronics to a dry area.
4. Remove mud and wash. Wash floors, walls, desks and chairs with clean water and detergent, scrubbing corners and wall bases. Disinfectant works poorly on muddy surfaces.
5. Ventilate and dry. Open doors and windows, use fans and clear standing water before spraying.
6. Prepare the disinfectant per its label. Choose a registered product such as Chemgene HLD4H and dilute exactly as the label says. Never mix different chemicals.
7. Close the area and post signs. Notify students and staff in advance, block entrances and keep people and animals out of the spray zone.
8. Spray from the far end toward the exit. Start in the deepest corner, treat walls from top to bottom, then desks, chairs and floor, and back out through the door without walking over treated areas.
9. Allow contact time. Leave the disinfectant for the time stated on the label, then ventilate for the stated re-entry period.
10. Wipe high-touch points again. After spraying, wipe door handles, handrails, lift buttons and sinks with a cloth and disinfectant, and set a daily cleaning routine during exams.
11. Record and communicate. Log the date, zone, product and person responsible, and tell students and parents which buildings are ready.

Safety When Using a Backpack Mistblower on Campus

• Hearing protection. Sound pressure at the operator is 97 dB(A) according to SOLO. Always wear ear muffs or plugs, and schedule spraying when nearby buildings are not in use for teaching.
• Limit continuous operating time. The engine vibrates. Even with anti-vibration mounts and a padded harness, rotate operators and take regular breaks.
• Chemical PPE per the label and SDS. Wear chemical-resistant gloves, goggles or a face shield, a respirator suited to the product, long sleeves or coveralls, and boots.
• Refuel safely. Switch the engine off and let it cool before refuelling, in the open air, away from sparks and heat. Never refuel indoors.
• Mind the weight. The dry unit weighs about 11 kg; with a full 12 L tank it is roughly 23 kg or more. Choose fit operators, adjust the harness snugly and take care on slippery stairs.
• Keep people and animals out. Never spray toward people, never spray while students are in the room, avoid spraying into the wind outdoors, and keep campus cats and dogs out of the zone.
• Respect re-entry times. Follow the re-entry period on the disinfectant label and ventilate well before reopening classrooms or dormitories.
• Train every operator. Teach starting, dosing, stopping and after-use care, and read the manufacturer's manual before real work.

Private Dormitories Near Campus Need a Plan Too

When a university district floods, nearby private dormitories are usually hit at the same time. Ground floor lobbies, laundry rooms, convenience stores and motorcycle parking go under first. Returning students check one thing immediately: is the building clean, and does it smell? An owner with a SOLO PORT 423 can have the caretaker disinfect corridors, laundry rooms, fire stairs and parking areas as soon as the mud is gone, without waiting for an outside contractor.

For multi-building dormitories, owning a unit also makes regular disinfection of common areas practical throughout the rainy season, when influenza and other respiratory illnesses spread easily. Combined with a registered disinfectant and a good cleaning plan, it becomes a selling point that helps parents choose your building.

Buy Your Own Unit, or Hire a Disinfection Service?

Universities with many buildings and an in-house facilities team usually get better value from owning a backpack mistblower, because it is used after floods, before each semester, before exams and after big events, and it is available immediately.

If you are not ready to buy, or need specialists during a peak, you can hire WHD's disinfection service as a separate option. The two are not mutually exclusive: many institutions hire a service in a crisis, then buy their own unit for routine work.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the SOLO PORT 423 price?

Pricing depends on quantity, accessories and your procurement conditions. Contact WHD for a quotation on 065-556-6294 or LINE @whd268. The team can prepare documents for institutional equipment purchasing.

2. When should a university disinfect after floodwater recedes?

After mud removal, washing and drying. Do not spray onto mud or standing water, because the disinfectant is diluted and cannot work properly.

3. What is the difference between a backpack mistblower and a thermal fogger?

A thermal fogger uses heat to turn liquid into smoke. The SOLO PORT 423 uses a strong air stream to make mist without heat, which suits water-based disinfectants on classroom and dormitory surfaces.

4. How far does this backpack sprayer reach?

About 12 m horizontally, according to SOLO. Real reach depends on the nozzle, wind and the space.

5. Which disinfectant should be used in classrooms after a flood?

Use a registered disinfectant approved for the surfaces you are treating, such as Chemgene HLD4H, mixed and used strictly per its label. Germ-reducing performance belongs to the chemical, not the sprayer.

6. Can we spray in a library or computer lab?

Move books, records and electronics out first or cover them completely, set a low output, and treat only floors, walls and furniture. Never spray directly at electrical equipment.

7. Is it heavy? Can cleaning staff carry it?

About 11 kg dry and roughly 23 kg or more with a full tank. Fit, trained staff can use it; rotate operators and take breaks.

8. Does it need electricity?

No. It runs on a 2-stroke petrol engine, so it works even when a building's ground floor power is not yet safe. Follow the manufacturer's manual for the fuel mix.

9. Can students go back in right after spraying?

No. Wait for the re-entry time on the disinfectant label and ventilate well first.

10. What if we are not ready to buy?

You can hire WHD's disinfection service separately. Call 065-556-6294 or LINE @whd268.

Get Your Facilities Team Ready Before the Next Flood

Universities and dormitories with the right tools reopen faster, protect student health better and speak to parents with more confidence. Contact World Health Disinfection for details and a quotation for the SOLO PORT 423.

View the SOLO PORT 423 and Request a Quote

Phone 065-556-6294 | LINE @whd268

Related Reading and References

• SOLO Port 423 backpack mistblower against dengue outbreaks, for municipalities and TAOs (Thai)
• Spraying against emerging diseases with the SOLO Port 423, for provincial public health offices (Thai)
• Chemgene HLD4H disinfectant
• World Health Disinfection spraying service
• Thai PBS report on the Ramkhamhaeng University flood, 2026 (B.E. 2569): https://www.thaipbs.or.th/news/content/559039
• PRD national flood summary as of 7 October 2026 (B.E. 2569): https://www.prd.go.th/th/content/category/detail/id/33/iid/548715
• US CDC, floods and cleanup: https://www.cdc.gov/floods/