The 2026 (B.E. 2569) Flood in Nong Rong, Nong Khae, Saraburi, and the Question of Tools

According to a report by the Government Public Relations Department (PRD) dated 1 October 2026 (B.E. 2569), the Minister of Tourism and Sports visited Nong Rong sub-district in Nong Khae, Saraburi, where several hundred households were affected by flooding, according to the PRD report. Medical supplies, food and drinking water were handed out, and officials continued to monitor water levels closely.

Nong Khae is a mix of farming communities, housing estates, factories and important transport routes. Once the water goes down, every organisation moves into recovery: shovelling mud, making repairs and disinfecting shared spaces such as community halls, child development centres, schools, temples, markets and factory canteens. That is the moment the question of equipment comes up, because many organisations find that the sprayers they already own cannot keep up with the size of the job.

On the national scale, DDPM data as of 06:00 on 7 October 2026 (B.E. 2569) showed 27 provinces plus Bangkok affected, covering 123 districts and 984 sub-districts, with 1,154,875 households or more than 3.1 million people affected. Choosing the right sprayer is therefore not a small matter. It is an investment in coping with flood seasons that may return in the years ahead.

Example Case: A Procurement Officer Who Had One Week to Choose

Note: this is a typical scenario built from situations we see often. It does not refer to any real organisation or person.

Ann is the procurement officer of a local administrative organisation in Nong Khae. After the water receded, her executive gave her a clear brief: "Find a disinfection sprayer our own team can use, and cover the hall, the childcare centre and the market within a few days." The storeroom held several hand-pump backpack sprayers that had been used for years on weeds and household mosquito spraying, and one thermal fogger used in the dengue control programme.

When the team tried a hand pump with disinfectant in the community hall, the operator pumped and sprayed until exhausted. The spray fell to the floor in large drops and the upper walls barely received any disinfectant. They thought about the thermal fogger instead, but then came the questions: could their disinfectant tolerate heat, and how safe would thick fog be inside a building? Ann went online to compare sprayer types and found that the answer depended far more on the type of job than on the brand.

What follows is what Ann worked out, and it is a framework your organisation can use for its own decision.

Before Comparing: What Post-Flood Disinfection Actually Needs

Floodwater carries sewage, waste, litter and mud into buildings. When it recedes, microorganisms remain on floors, walls, furniture and equipment:

• Bacteria such as E. coli and Salmonella, which cause diarrhoea and food poisoning, plus the risk of Leptospira, the cause of leptospirosis, where water stands and rats are common.
• Viruses such as norovirus and rotavirus, which spread through surfaces, and respiratory viruses such as influenza and RSV, which spread easily in shelters and crowded buildings.
• Moulds that grow on damp walls and materials, causing musty smells and allergies.

So a good sprayer for this job needs five qualities: it must cover large areas quickly, carry the liquid far enough to reach walls and corners, work with water-based disinfectants without heat, run without mains power where electricity is not yet safe, and be operable by one person. Remember that a sprayer only delivers the liquid. How well it disinfects depends on a registered disinfectant used according to its label, and mud must always be removed before spraying.

The Cost of Choosing the Wrong Type of Sprayer

Lost time. A sprayer that is too small turns a one-day job into several days. Childcare centres and markets open late, and residents wait.

Lost labour. The team needs more people and overtime, and fatigue raises the risk of accidents and chemical exposure.

Wasted chemical. Droplets that are too large run off onto the floor, and patchy coverage means spraying again.

Duplicated budget. Many organisations buy an inexpensive unit first, discover it cannot handle large areas, and end up buying again.

Lost trust. When residents see shared spaces still smelling musty or streaked with mud, and people start getting diarrhoea after the flood, confidence in the organisation drops.

Getting to Know Each Type of Sprayer

1. Hand-pump backpack sprayer

This is the sprayer most Thai people know. You pump a lever to build pressure in the tank and squeeze the wand to spray through the nozzle. It is inexpensive, easy to repair and needs neither fuel nor electricity, which suits small spots or small vegetable plots. The limits are that pressure rises and falls with the pumping rhythm, droplets are fairly large, reach is short and the operator tires quickly. Spraying an entire hall or warehouse takes a very long time.

2. Battery sprayer

A battery-driven pump builds the pressure instead of your arm, so pressure is steadier and the unit is quiet. It suits small buildings, classrooms and offices. The limit is that the push still comes mainly from liquid pressure, with no air stream to carry the droplets, so reach is limited, and work stops when the battery runs flat, which can be a real problem where power has not returned after a flood.

3. Thermal fogger

A thermal fogger uses heat from a combustion chamber to turn the liquid into a thick white fog that drifts a long way. It is the main tool for controlling Aedes mosquitoes and other insects in communities, for example the AIROFOG AT35 that WHD sells in its mosquito and insect control category. Thermal foggers are designed for formulations that tolerate heat and are mostly used against insects. If you want to use one with a disinfectant, check the chemical's label and the machine's manual carefully first. Thick fog indoors also reduces visibility and needs extra safety measures.

4. Electric ULV sprayer

An electric ULV unit, such as the MASTER model listed in WHD's catalogue, produces fine droplets from mains power. It suits rooms and buildings with power outlets and is quieter than an engine. The limits are the need for electricity and a cable, which is awkward across large outdoor areas or in buildings whose wiring has not been checked after a flood.

5. SOLO PORT 423 engine-powered backpack mistblower

The SOLO PORT 423 is made by SOLO Kleinmotoren GmbH in Germany. An engine drives a fan that creates a strong air stream, and the liquid is fed into that stream and broken into fine droplets that travel a long way without heat. It is a mistblower, not a thermal fogger.

Key specifications, according to manufacturer SOLO: single-cylinder 2-stroke engine, 72.3 cm³ displacement, 3.0 kW (4.1 HP), 12-litre spray liquid tank, maximum airflow 1,400 m³/h, horizontal reach about 12 metres, dry weight 11.0 kg and sound pressure at the operator of 97 dB(A).

According to WHD's product information, the unit can deliver ULV-type output with droplets below 30 microns, which saves chemical, although the droplets you actually get depend on the nozzle and settings. WHD also lists a Nikasil cylinder, MAHLE and BING components, a rotatable spray tube, a long nozzle and wide-angle diffuser, a UV-resistant translucent tank, a one-hand control lever, a padded harness and four-point anti-vibration mounts. For other optional kits, ask the dealer.

Comparison Table: Sprayers for Post-Flood Disinfection

This table compares general characteristics of each type. The SOLO PORT 423 figures come from manufacturer SOLO. Other types come in many brands and sizes, so always check the specifications of the model you are considering.

Which One Should You Choose? A Guide by Job Type

• If your job is spot spraying or a few rooms, a hand pump or battery sprayer may be enough, used together with wiping high-touch points.
• If your job is controlling Aedes mosquitoes in a community, the thermal fogger remains the main tool, alongside removing breeding sites.
• If your job is disinfecting large areas after a flood, such as halls, childcare centres, markets, warehouses or car parks, an engine-powered mistblower like the SOLO PORT 423 is the closest fit, because it combines airflow, reach, tank capacity and mobility.
• If your organisation handles many kinds of jobs, keeping more than one type is normal: the SOLO PORT 423 for large areas and a small sprayer for detail work in rooms.

10 Reasons the SOLO PORT 423 Leads for Large-Area Disinfection After a Flood

1. Air carries the liquid. A maximum airflow of 1,400 m³/h, according to SOLO, spreads droplets onto surfaces more evenly than pressure-only sprayers.
2. About 12 metres of horizontal reach. It reaches high walls and corners without walking up to each one.
3. No heat. Suitable for water-based disinfectants whose labels allow spraying.
4. No waiting for power. Ready to use where electrical systems are not yet safe.
5. A 12-litre tank. Long runs and fewer refills.
6. No pumping. The operator does not build pressure by hand, so output stays steady throughout.
7. Saves chemical. According to WHD's product information, it can deliver ULV-type droplets below 30 microns.
8. Simple one-hand control. Throttle, dosing and stop sit on one lever.
9. Built to last. WHD lists a Nikasil cylinder and MAHLE and BING components.
10. Useful all year for many missions. Post-flood disinfection, hygiene work in public buildings and the other settings WHD lists, such as schools, hospitals, factories and malls. Ask for a quote on the SOLO PORT 423 product page.

Before and After Matching the Sprayer to the Job

Step by Step: Disinfecting a Public Building After a Flood With the SOLO PORT 423

1. Assess the site and its safety

Check the structure, the electrical system and any snakes or other animals sheltering inside before the team starts.

2. Remove rubbish and wash out all mud

Take out damaged materials and wash mud from floors, walls and furniture. Always do this first, because disinfectant works best on clean surfaces.

3. Choose and mix the disinfectant by the label

Use a registered disinfectant such as Chemgene HLD4H, dilute it as the label directs and fill the 12-litre tank on level ground.

4. Put on PPE and clear the area

The operator wears ear protection, gloves, goggles, a respirator as the label requires, long sleeves and boots. Cordon off the area so people and pets stay out.

5. Spray from the inside out

Start the engine as the manual describes, walk at an even pace and point the tube at walls, floors and corners. Back away from sprayed areas, and outdoors avoid spraying into the wind.

6. Allow contact time and ventilate

Leave the disinfectant on surfaces for the time on the label, open windows to ventilate and let people back in only after the stated re-entry time.

7. Clean the unit and record the work

Rinse the tank and lines with clean water, check the nozzle and air filter, and record the area, time and chemical used.

Safety You Must Know Before Using the SOLO PORT 423

• Hearing protection. Sound pressure at the operator is 97 dB(A), according to SOLO. Wear ear muffs or plugs every time.
• Vibration. Limit spraying time per session, rotate operators and take regular breaks.
• Chemical PPE. Follow the chemical's label and safety data sheet (SDS).
• Refuelling. Switch off and let the engine cool before refuelling, away from flames, and mix fuel as the manufacturer's manual specifies.
• Weight. 11.0 kg dry and about 23 kg or more when full. Adjust the harness to fit.
• Keep people and pets out of the spray zone, and follow the re-entry time on the label.
• Training. Every operator should be trained from the manual and by the dealer before real use.

Anyone who waded through floodwater and develops a fever, calf pain, diarrhoea or an infected wound should see a doctor and mention the flood exposure.

Questions to Ask Before You Buy Any Sprayer

Whatever type you lean toward, a short checklist keeps the decision grounded in your real work rather than in a brochure.

• How large is the area you must cover after a flood? Add up halls, childcare centres, markets, yards and warehouses. If the total runs into thousands of square metres, pressure-only sprayers will struggle.
• Will electricity be available? After a flood, wiring often stays off until it is inspected. An engine unit removes that dependency.
• Which chemical will you use? Read its label first. It tells you whether the product may be sprayed, at what dilution, with what contact time and with what PPE.
• Who will operate it? Plan training, shift rotation and hearing protection before the next flood season, not during it.
• Who will service it? Ask the dealer about spare parts, maintenance advice and what is covered under warranty.
• What else will it do during the year? A unit that also serves routine hygiene work in public buildings delivers more value than one that sits in storage.

Prefer Not to Buy? Is There Another Option?

If your organisation needs only a one-off job, the WHD disinfection spraying service is a separate option. For organisations that face floods every year or look after many sites, owning a SOLO PORT 423 means an immediate response. For other angles on this machine, read the Thai articles on fighting dengue for municipalities and SAOs and spraying against emerging disease for provincial public health offices.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the difference between a hand-pump backpack sprayer and an engine sprayer?

A hand pump relies on pressure you create by pumping, with short reach and large droplets. An engine-powered mistblower such as the SOLO PORT 423 uses a strong air stream to carry droplets about 12 metres, according to SOLO.

Battery sprayer or petrol sprayer: which is better?

It depends on the job. Battery units are quiet and suit small rooms. For large areas, or places without power after a flood, an engine unit fits better.

Can a thermal fogger be used for disinfection after a flood?

Thermal foggers are designed mainly for insect control. Using one with a disinfectant requires checking the chemical label and the machine manual. For water-based disinfectants on surfaces, a mistblower that uses no heat is usually the better fit.

Is the SOLO PORT 423 a thermal fogger?

No. It is a mistblower that uses air, not heat.

What is the SOLO PORT 423 price?

Please request a quote on the product page, call 065-556-6294 or add LINE @whd268.

How big is the SOLO PORT 423 tank, and how heavy is the unit?

The spray tank holds 12 litres and the dry weight is 11.0 kg, according to SOLO. When full it weighs about 23 kg or more.

Does a mistblower disinfect on its own?

No. The machine delivers the liquid. Effectiveness depends on the disinfectant, so check each product's own test data and label, and use it only as directed.

Can a government agency buy the SOLO PORT 423 as official equipment?

WHD sells this unit to government agencies and organisations. You can request a quotation and ask about procurement details by phone or LINE.

Want a SOLO PORT 423 for your organisation? Ask for a quote today

View SOLO PORT 423 and Request a Quote

For specifications, a demonstration or a quotation, call 065-556-6294 or add LINE @whd268. The World Health Disinfection team can also advise on choosing a registered disinfectant and on safe operation.

Related Reading and Sources

• SOLO Port 423 against dengue, for municipalities and SAOs (Thai)
• SOLO Port 423 for provincial public health and emerging disease (Thai)
• Chemgene HLD4H disinfectant
• WHD disinfection spraying service (an option if you prefer not to buy)
• Government PR Department, 1 Oct 2026 (B.E. 2569): flood relief visit to Nong Rong, Nong Khae, Saraburi (Thai)
• Government PR Department: flood summary, DDPM data as of 7 Oct 2026 (B.E. 2569)
• CDC: Floods and cleanup guidance
• Department of Disease Control, Thailand