The Chom Bueng, Ratchaburi Flood of 2026 (B.E. 2569)

According to MGR Online, at 16.27 on 6 October 2026 (B.E. 2569) heavy rain sent runoff from the hills into homes and along several roads in Chom Bueng, Dan Thap Tako and Kaem On subdistricts of Chom Bueng district, Ratchaburi. Many spots were waiting for the water to drain and small cars could not get through. In Nong Kwang subdistrict of neighbouring Photharam district, some houses were flooded almost halfway up, and in places the water reached neck height. Local administrations laid sandbags and used backhoes to open channels, while the Mae Klong Dam was releasing about 981 cubic metres per second.

Relief units know this picture well. When small cars cannot pass, military trucks, high-clearance vehicles and flat-bottomed boats become the main way to move residents, the elderly, bedridden patients, pets and relief bags. Every truck run, every boat trip down a flooded lane and every person who wades in to push a boat or carry supplies is in contact with water that has passed through animal pens, toilets, bins and drains.

At national level, Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) figures as of 06.00 on 7 October 2026 (B.E. 2569), published by the Government Public Relations Department, listed 27 provinces plus Bangkok as affected, covering 123 districts and 984 subdistricts, with 1,154,875 households and more than 3.1 million people affected. Relief in 2026 is not one location. The same unit may move from one area to the next for weeks, and disinfection between missions is part of keeping people fit for the next call-out.

Example Case: A Company Returns With a Parking Lot Full of Mud

The following is an illustrative example based on common situations, not a record of any specific unit.

A logistics sergeant, whom we will call Sergeant Wit, serves with a company in the western region. When runoff flooded Chom Bueng, his company sent six trucks, four flat-bottomed boats and about sixty personnel to evacuate residents and move sandbags for three days straight. When the first mission ended, the vehicle yard was covered in mud. A musty smell rose from the pile of life jackets and ropes by the store shed. Wet boots lined the dormitory, several soldiers complained of itchy arms and legs, and some had scrapes from pushing boats through the water.

The company commander ordered that everything be washed and disinfected by the next day, because the unit might be sent to another area within two days. Sergeant Wit had two hand-pump sprayers and one pressure washer. He worked out that just spraying disinfectant under six trucks, into their cargo beds and through their cabs with hand pumps would take most of a day, before he even reached the boats, the gear, the dormitory and the mess hall.

So disinfection was done "as far as possible". Some trucks were only hosed down. Some boats were simply left in the sun. Blankets and mats were dragged out to dry, but nobody was sure they were clean enough. A few days later several personnel developed diarrhoea and fever, had to see a doctor, and were replaced by a fresh team.

In the after-action review, Sergeant Wit proposed that the unit get an engine-powered disinfection sprayer that could be carried on the back, travel with the trucks, work without mains power in areas where electricity was cut, and reach far enough to cover a large truck or a whole dormitory in a short time. That is how many units start looking at the SOLO PORT 423.

Germs That Arrive With Runoff and Floodwater

Runoff from the hills is not just mud. As it flows through communities it collects waste from toilets, septic tanks, pig pens, chicken coops and rubbish heaps. The main germs fall into three groups.

Bacteria

• E. coli, the classic marker of faecal contamination, causing diarrhoea, stomach cramps and nausea.
• Leptospira, the cause of leptospirosis, carried in animal urine in floodwater and entering through cuts or skin soaked for a long time. High fever and calf pain after wading are typical warning signs.
• Salmonella, carried by contaminated food and water and a common cause of food poisoning.

Viruses

• Norovirus and rotavirus, which cause vomiting and diarrhoea and spread very fast where people live together, such as dormitories and shelters.
• Respiratory viruses such as RSV and influenza, which spread easily when many tired people sleep and share bathrooms in one building.

Moulds

• Canvas, tents, mattresses, life jackets and walls that stay damp can grow mould within days, causing musty odours and triggering allergies or asthma.

Relief personnel face higher risk than most people: long hours in water, frequent small wounds, little sleep, irregular meals and life in large groups. Once one person carries a contact-spread germ, it moves easily through a shared dormitory. Anyone with fever, calf pain, severe diarrhoea or an infected wound after wading must see a doctor and mention flood exposure. Environmental disinfection reduces risk; it does not replace medical care.

The Pain Points for Military, Police and Relief Units

Many vehicles and items, little time

A single unit may have trucks, pickups, ambulances, boats, pumps, tents, life jackets and hundreds of equipment cases, all of which must be ready before the next order, sometimes only a day or two away.

People are the most important resource

When several personnel fall ill at once, the unit must send fewer people out or pull staff from other duties, which hurts both the relief mission and routine work.

Shared quarters

Dormitories, mess halls, shared bathrooms, police stations and holding areas are used by many people. If floodwater entered, or people kept walking in mud, infection risk rises.

Relief points the unit runs

Many units also run field kitchens, aid distribution points and temporary shelters, which must be clean enough for vulnerable residents.

Public trust

People expect security agencies to set an example of readiness. A relief point that smells, collects rubbish or is followed by illness damages that trust immediately.

No power, no tap water

In disaster areas, electricity is often cut for safety, so plug-in equipment is useless. Units need tools that work independently in the field.

Why Hand Pumps, Buckets and Wiping Are Not Enough

Hand-pump sprayers are fine for small spots, but their limits show quickly when the job is a full truck, several boats and a large dormitory.

• Uneven pressure. The operator must keep pumping; as they tire, pressure drops, so some areas get soaked and others get nothing.
• Short reach. Getting under a truck, onto a high tent roof or up to a dormitory ceiling means climbing and stretching, which invites accidents.
• Heavy labour. After days of wading, personnel are already tired, and pumping all day makes it worse.
• Wasted chemical. Large droplets run off onto the floor, so solution has to be mixed again and again.
• Wiping misses spots. Vehicle corners, gaps under seats, canvas and tent frames are hard to wipe thoroughly.

Small electric sprayers depend on cables and power, which are neither available nor safe in flood zones. Pressure washers are excellent for removing mud but are not designed to spread disinfectant as fine droplets that coat surfaces evenly. Units need a different tool: engine-powered, carried anywhere, and able to send mist a long way in a short time.

The Answer for Units: SOLO PORT 423 Backpack Mistblower

The SOLO PORT 423 is a backpack mistblower driven by a two-stroke petrol engine, made by SOLO Kleinmotoren GmbH in Germany. A powerful fan creates a strong air stream that carries the atomised solution far and spreads it across the area, which suits large jobs such as vehicle yards, dormitories, equipment stores and shelters. World Health Disinfection (WHD) sells this model to government agencies and large organisations.

Key specifications, according to manufacturer SOLO

According to WHD's product information, the machine delivers ULV-type droplets below 30 microns, which helps save chemical. Actual droplet size depends on the nozzle and setting, so ask the team which setup suits your job. WHD also lists MAHLE engine parts, a BING carburettor, a Nikasil cylinder, a UV-resistant translucent tank with a wide filler, a rotatable spray tube, a one-hand lever combining throttle, dosing and stop, a padded harness and four anti-vibration mounts. Optional kits exist in the SOLO range; ask the dealer before ordering.

How it differs from a thermal fogger

Many people search for a "fogging machine", but the SOLO PORT 423 is not a thermal fogger. A thermal fogger uses heat to turn solution into white smoke and is widely used against mosquitoes. The SOLO PORT 423 uses air flow, without heat, to carry droplets, so it suits disinfectant application on surfaces, vehicles and buildings after floods. Units that need both can see thermal foggers separately in WHD's mosquito and pest control equipment centre.

The machine sprays; the chemical disinfects

The sprayer spreads the solution evenly; how well it disinfects depends on the product. Use a registered disinfectant at the concentration, contact time and precautions on its label, for example Chemgene HLD4H sold by WHD, used according to its label and safety data sheet. Always remove mud and clean first, then disinfect, because soil greatly reduces disinfectant performance.

10 Reasons Military, Police and Relief Units Should Own a SOLO PORT 423

1. No mains power needed. The petrol engine starts anywhere, even where power is cut.
2. Covers large vehicles quickly. With up to 1,400 m³/h of air and about 12 m of horizontal reach, according to SOLO, mist reaches cargo beds, cabs and the ground around each truck fast.
3. 12-litre tank. Fewer trips back to mix new solution.
4. Goes where people go. Onto trucks, into boats, down narrow lanes and up stairs, with no hose to drag.
5. Less human effort. No pumping; the engine does the work and personnel save energy for the mission.
6. Saves chemical. According to WHD, ULV-type droplets use less solution than coarse spraying.
7. One-hand control. Throttle, dosing and stop on one lever, useful when targets change constantly.
8. German build for hard use. MAHLE parts, BING carburettor and Nikasil cylinder, per WHD.
9. Useful all year. Beyond flood response, it serves camp sanitation, stations and staff housing, depending on the chemical chosen.
10. Self-reliance. With its own machine, a unit does not wait for another agency and is ready for the next mission sooner. See the SOLO PORT 423 product page.

Before and After: Restoring a Company After a Flash Flood Mission

These figures illustrate the example case and are not measurements. Real times depend on area, fleet size and chemical.

Step-by-Step: Disinfecting a Unit After Floodwater

Step 1: Plan and zone

Divide the site into a vehicle wash zone, a rescue gear zone, a quarters zone and a public relief zone. Assign a leader to each and set a one-way route from dirty to clean areas.

Step 2: Always remove mud first

Use a pressure washer or hose on wheels, wheel arches, undercarriages, cargo beds and cab floors. Scrub stuck dirt with brushes and detergent. Wash boats inside and out, including propellers and transoms.

Step 3: Launder what can be washed

Wash life jackets, ropes, tarpaulins, blankets and work uniforms with detergent and dry them completely. Write off badly damaged or mouldy items according to supply rules.

Step 4: Prepare the chemical and the machine

Choose a registered disinfectant, mix at the label rate and fill the 12-litre tank through the wide opening. Check fuel according to the manufacturer's manual, and refuel only with the engine off and cool.

Step 5: Spray vehicles

Park vehicles with room to walk around them, open doors and tailgates, and work upwind to downwind: cab first, then cargo bed, wheels and undercarriage. Leave the surfaces wet for the label contact time before wiping or closing doors.

Step 6: Spray boats and rescue gear

Turn boats over or on their sides, lay life jackets, helmets and cases on racks, and spray every side, flipping items if needed. Dry them in a breezy place.

Step 7: Spray quarters and buildings

Move people and animals out, store food and food containers, then spray floors, lower walls that met water or mud, beds, cabinets, door handles and bathrooms. Keep the building closed for the contact time, then ventilate before re-entry as the label requires.

Step 8: Spray public relief points

Treat field kitchens, distribution points and shelters when the public is not present, keep food preparation separate, and use products labelled for those areas.

Step 9: Record and repeat

Log the date, zone, chemical and operator for mission reports and to plan repeat rounds. If the unit keeps working in floodwater, disinfect vehicles every time they return.

Safety When Using a Backpack Mistblower in a Unit

Military and police units already live by safety discipline. Spraying deserves the same standard.

• Hearing protection. Sound pressure at the operator is 97 dB(A), according to SOLO. The operator must wear ear muffs or plugs, and so should anyone nearby.
• Limit continuous operation. Engine vibration tires hands and arms, so rotate operators and take breaks, even with the anti-vibration mounts.
• Chemical PPE per label. Wear chemical-resistant gloves, goggles or a face shield, a respirator suited to the product, long sleeves or coveralls, and boots, as the label and safety data sheet require.
• Refuel safely. Stop the engine and let it cool before refuelling, away from flames, with no smoking.
• Respect the weight. The dry weight is 11.0 kg, and with a full 12-litre tank the load is about 23 kg or more. Adjust the harness, lift correctly or have a partner help.
• Keep people and animals out. Use barriers and signs, never spray toward people and never spray into the wind.
• Follow re-entry times. Do not let personnel back into buildings before the label allows.
• Train first. Cover starting, nozzle adjustment, emergency stop and maintenance for every user before deployment.

Procurement, and the Option to Hire a Service

Many units procure a backpack mistblower as standard equipment for both disaster relief and camp sanitation. WHD can prepare product details and a quotation for procurement. WHD does not list a price online; ask for a quote by phone at 065-556-6294 or LINE @whd268.

If your unit is not ready to buy, or wants professionals for a very large first job, you can hire WHD's disinfection spraying service separately. That service is a different option from buying a SOLO PORT 423 for your own use.

For other angles on the same machine, read SOLO Port 423 against dengue for municipalities and SOLO Port 423 against emerging disease for provincial public health.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the SOLO PORT 423 price?

WHD does not publish a price because it depends on quantity, accessories and procurement terms. Request a quotation at 065-556-6294 or LINE @whd268.

2. How do you disinfect a military or rescue truck after driving through floodwater?

Wash all mud from wheels, undercarriage, cargo bed and cab first, then spray a registered disinfectant evenly, leave it for the label contact time, and wipe or let it dry.

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

A thermal fogger uses heat to make smoke; the SOLO PORT 423 uses air flow without heat, which suits disinfectant on surfaces and buildings.

4. How far does this backpack sprayer reach?

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

5. Can it work where the power is out?

Yes. It runs on a two-stroke petrol engine and needs no electricity.

6. Is it too heavy to carry all day?

It weighs 11.0 kg dry and about 23 kg or more with a full tank, so rotate operators and rest regularly.

7. Which disinfectant should be used after a flood?

A registered disinfectant labelled for the surface, such as Chemgene HLD4H from WHD, used strictly per label and SDS.

8. Can personnel return to the dormitory right after spraying?

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

9. Where should a flooded police station start?

Remove mud and wet items, then disinfect the busiest areas first: the public counter, bathrooms, staff rooms and holding areas.

10. Can it be bought as government equipment?

Yes. WHD sells to government agencies and large organisations and can prepare product documents and quotations.

Get Your Unit Ready for the Next Mission

Disasters in 2026 (B.E. 2569) are not over. Units that clean and disinfect quickly send healthy people back out sooner and run relief points people can trust. The SOLO PORT 423 helps a unit do that job on its own.

View SOLO PORT 423 details and request a price

Call 065-556-6294 or add LINE @whd268 for a quotation, procurement details or a demonstration.

Related Reading and References

• SOLO Port 423 for dengue control, municipalities
• SOLO Port 423 for emerging disease, provincial public health
• WHD disinfection service
• MGR Online report on the Chom Bueng runoff, 6 Oct 2026
• Government PR Department flood summary, DDPM data 7 Oct 2026
• CDC flood cleanup guidance

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