A story from the field: Ake's tent store after the flash flood

Ake has run a riverside campsite in Na Di district, Prachin Buri, for five years. His site is not far from the Kaeng Hin Phoeng rapids and the forest edge of Thap Lan. Most of his guests are families from Bangkok and Chonburi who want their children to fall asleep to the sound of running water. Many of them do not own camping gear, so Ake keeps more than thirty rental tents, along with sleeping bags, inflatable mattresses, foam sleeping pads, pillows and camping chairs, all stored in a corrugated-metal shed behind the camping field.

In late September 2026, heavy rain fell on the hills for several nights in a row. Run-off rushed down into the river, which burst its banks, swept across the camping field and poured into the storage shed almost to knee height. The staff managed to lift some of the tents onto the top shelves, but the sleeping bags and foam pads on the lower shelves sat in muddy water for two full days. The shared toilet block and the dishwashing station were left with a thick layer of silt on the floor.

A week after the water receded, Ake opened the shed to check on his stock. The smell of damp mixed with river mud was so strong that he had to step back outside for a moment. Tents that had been folded away while still wet now had black mold spots along the fly sheets and seams. Some sleeping bags were stained brown and smelled sour. The foam pads had green mold patches on their undersides. In the toilet block, the walls were streaked with mud and there was a sewer smell rising from the drains.

What really weighed on him were the messages that would not stop arriving on his phone. Regular customers were asking whether the site would open for the long weekend at the end of October, the start of the cool season, when his field had been fully booked every year. "If a guest crawls into a tent and smells mold, or their child sneezes all night because the sleeping bag is moldy, one review is enough to make our site go quiet for the whole season," he told his wife.

This is a realistic example scenario based on the kinds of problems service teams see after floods, not a news report. But for many campsite owners in the hills of Prachin Buri and Nakhon Nayok this year, every detail will sound familiar.

The problems campsites face after a flash flood

Health risks for guests

• Mold in tents and bedding: A tent is a small, closed space where people sleep with their faces close to fabric all night. Mold spores from sleeping bags, pillows and tent walls go straight into the airways, triggering allergies, sneezing, blocked noses and asthma, especially in children.
• Germs from floodwater: Flash floods carry mud, animal droppings and bacteria such as E. coli, which settle on toilet floors, dishwashing sinks and picnic tables. That raises the risk of diarrheal illness.
• Leptospirosis: Riverbanks and storage sheds are favorite places for rats. Mud and standing water contaminated with rat urine are a real risk for staff cleaning up without boots and gloves.
• Skin irritation: Sleeping bags and blankets that still carry germs can cause itching and rashes.

Business risks

Camping businesses live on reviews and word of mouth. A photo of a moldy sleeping bag or the words "the tent smelled musty" in an online review can hurt bookings for a long time. At the same time, rental equipment is a large investment. Throwing everything away and buying new stock at once is a heavy burden, especially after weeks without income. Knowing exactly what can be saved and what must be replaced is therefore critical.

A tight window before the season

November to February is the busiest time for campsites in Prachin Buri and Nakhon Nayok. Every day the site stays closed is lost income. Owners have to recover quickly, but they need to recover the right way, because a rushed job that leaves mold behind will cost far more in reputation later.

Methods that leave the musty smell behind

• Pitching tents in the sun only: The outer fabric dries, but seams, floor corners and storage bags stay damp. Black mold spots remain and the smell returns as soon as the tent is folded away.
• Washing sleeping bags with ordinary detergent: This removes some mud, but synthetic filling that soaked for days still smells, and it takes many days to dry.
• Pouring bleach on tent fabric: This can bleach and blotch the fabric and damage the waterproof coating.
• Spraying air freshener in the shed: The smell is hidden for a few hours, then returns once the shed is closed overnight.
• Pressure-washing the toilet block with water only: The mud comes off, but germs in tile grout, drains and under sinks are not disinfected.

The problem is that these methods only deal with visible surfaces. Mold and musty odor in camping gear are buried deep inside fabric, synthetic filling and foam, and there is a large volume of it packed together in a closed shed.

The solution: ozone treatment for gear and storage, plus disinfection fogging for shared areas

The World Health Disinfection (WHD) team divides the work into two parts. The first is an ozone treatment service for the storage shed, tents and bedding once they have been washed and dried. Ozone is a gas that penetrates fabric and synthetic filling, reducing mold spores and breaking down the molecules that cause musty odor. The second is a disinfection fogging service using Chemgene HLD4H applied with ULV (ultra-low volume) foggers in the toilet block, dishwashing station, rest pavilions and on picnic tables.

Step-by-step process for campsites

1. Survey of the whole site: The team walks through the storage shed, toilet block, dishwashing area, pavilions and camping field, noting the water level, mold spots and how much equipment was affected.
2. Help sorting equipment: The team advises which items can be recovered, such as tents with surface mold, and which should be replaced, such as foam pads that sat in muddy water for days and smell from the inside. They also recommend washing off mud and drying equipment before treatment.
3. Arranging gear for treatment: Tents and sleeping bags are hung open on rails in the shed or another closed room so the gas can reach every side. Nothing is left piled up.
4. Controlled ozone dose: The dose and time are set carefully, because elastic shock cords, rubber seals and some coatings should not be exposed to high concentrations of ozone for too long. Electronics such as rechargeable lanterns, power banks and speakers are moved out first.
5. Disinfecting shared areas: Chemgene HLD4H is fogged in the toilets, showers, dishwashing station, pavilions, handrails and picnic tables.
6. Ventilation: After the cycle, the shed doors are opened so the ozone can break down into oxygen. During treatment no people, pets or plants may be inside the closed space, including any dogs or cats that live on the site.
7. Re-check: The team checks smell and mold spots on the equipment together with the owner. Any item that still smells is assessed for another wash and treatment or for replacement.

Ozone safety: Ozone is highly effective against mold and odor, but it must not be inhaled at high concentrations. The team cordons off the area, posts no-entry signs and ventilates until it is safe before campsite staff go back in to collect equipment.

Afterwards, sleeping bags, pillows and mattresses you plan to keep can also go through our dust mite removal service. Riverside areas with standing puddles should also be considered for our mosquito spraying service before guests arrive, because mosquito numbers often rise after floodwater recedes.

Why ozone suits camping gear

Camping gear is awkward to clean. Tents are large, sleeping bags are thick and pillows are full of filling. Washing removes the dirt, but a lingering smell often remains deep inside. Because ozone is a gas, it can reach the inside of filling and the folds of fabric when items are hung open, which is something sprays and wipes simply cannot do. Treating dozens of items at once in a closed shed is also far more efficient than trying to deal with each one by hand. The key is to treat items that are already clean and dry, and to control the dose so that elastic and rubber parts are not over-exposed.

Equipment triage: keep, clean or replace?

One of the most valuable parts of the survey is simply deciding what to do with each type of item. Every case is different, but these general guidelines help owners plan their budget.

• Tents with surface mold: Usually worth saving. Wash gently with mild soap and water, rinse, pitch until fully dry, then include them in the ozone treatment. Check that zips and seams still work.
• Tents with torn floors or failed coating: If the floor leaks or the waterproof coating is peeling, mold will keep coming back. These are often better retired or kept only for dry-season use.
• Sleeping bags: Bags that were only damp can usually be washed, dried and treated. Bags that sat in muddy floodwater for days often keep a smell deep in the filling and may need replacing.
• Foam pads and pillows: Open-cell foam and fiber pillows soak up floodwater like sponges. If they were submerged, replacement is usually the safest choice.
• Inflatable mattresses: The outer surface can be cleaned and disinfected. Check valves carefully, since mud can get inside and cause leaks.
• Camping chairs and tables: Metal and plastic parts can be cleaned and disinfected. Fabric seats should be washed and dried before treatment.
• Cooking equipment: Pots, pans and utensils that touched floodwater must be washed thoroughly with detergent and hot water before use. They should not go through ozone treatment as a substitute for washing.

Focus on the toilet block and dishwashing station

For guests, the cleanliness of the shared toilets often shapes their whole opinion of a campsite. After a flood, these areas need special attention because drains may have backed up, silt collects in corners and moisture lingers in shower stalls. The WHD team recommends removing all silt first, checking that drains flow freely and repairing any broken pipes. Fogging with Chemgene HLD4H then reaches floors, walls up to the flood line, door handles, taps, sinks and the gaps behind toilets. The dishwashing station, where guests clean plates and cooking pots, should be treated with the same care, followed by a thorough rinse of food-contact surfaces before use.

Getting ready for next year's rainy season

Riverside campsites in Na Di will always face some flood risk. A little preparation now can save a great deal of money and stress next time. Consider moving the equipment store to higher ground or raising shelves well above the level the water reached this year. Use sealed plastic boxes for small items and keep a simple checklist so staff know exactly what to lift first when a flood warning comes. Keep a record of which items were affected this time, and plan replacements gradually. Many owners also schedule a routine ozone treatment for their stored gear at the end of the rainy season, before the busy cool-season months begin.

What campsite staff can do in the first 72 hours

1. Protect yourselves first: Wear rubber boots, long rubber gloves and a mask whenever you shovel mud or carry equipment out of the shed. Cover any cuts on your hands or feet, because of the leptospirosis risk.
2. Photograph the damage: Take photos of water lines, equipment and the shed before moving anything. These help when planning replacements or making insurance claims.
3. Wash away mud before it dries: Dry mud turns into fine dust that carries germs through the air. Hose it off the camping field and toilet floors quickly.
4. Open everything up to air: Take every tent, sleeping bag and piece of fabric out of its storage bag. Pitch or hang them in a shaded, airy place. Do not pile them together, because moisture will build up.
5. Keep badly damaged items separate: Foam pads and pillows that sat in mud for a long time should be set aside, not mixed with items that can still be saved.
6. Check the electrics: Have an electrician inspect sockets and wiring in the shed, toilets and charging points before switching the power back on.

Once these basics are done, the WHD team can focus fully on the jobs that need specialist equipment: treating large amounts of gear with ozone at once and disinfecting the shared spaces guests use together.

Be open with your customers

Guests who have booked in advance want to know whether the site is safe. Posting honest progress updates, such as photos of the field being washed, equipment being sorted and the toilets being disinfected, builds far more confidence than silence. When you are ready to reopen, guests will feel that you genuinely care about their family's health, and that feeling is often what turns a first visit into a regular booking.

10 reasons campsites in Na Di choose WHD

1. Ozone treatment reduces musty odor in many tents, sleeping bags and pillows at the same time in a closed room.
2. Controlled ozone dose suited to waterproof coatings, elastic cords and rubber seals.
3. Help sorting what can be saved, so you do not have to replace everything.
4. Chemgene HLD4H disinfectant for shared toilets and dishwashing areas.
5. ULV foggers reach tile grout, under sinks and shower corners.
6. Work planned to finish before long weekends and the cool season.
7. Follow-on mosquito spraying around the camping field.
8. Follow-on dust mite removal for bedding.
9. Practical advice on long-term storage to stop mold coming back.
10. Easy to reach by phone and LINE, with advice before you book.

Before and after ozone treatment and disinfection

Customer voice (example scenario)

"We thought we would have to throw away almost all our tents. The team helped us sort out which ones only had surface mold and which were truly ruined. After washing, drying and ozone treatment, the musty smell dropped a lot. We only replaced the foam pads and a few sleeping bags, and we opened just in time for the long weekend."

— Ake, campsite owner in Na Di district (example scenario)

Storage checklist to stop mold coming back

• Never fold a tent away while it is damp. After guests return tents in rainy weather, pitch them until completely dry before storing.
• Hang sleeping bags open instead of compressing them in stuff sacks for long periods.
• Raise storage shelves off the floor and keep them away from the walls.
• Open the shed every day for ventilation and run a dehumidifier during the rainy months.
• Wipe the toilets and dishwashing area with disinfectant every day when the site is busy.
• Check for musty smell or mold spots every time equipment is returned. If it starts to come back, ask the team for a re-assessment.

Frequently asked questions

Q: Will ozone damage tent fabric?
A: The team controls the dose and duration and recommends washing and drying before treatment. Some elastic cords and rubber seals should not be exposed to high ozone levels for long, so the plan is adjusted to the equipment.

Q: Do sleeping bags need washing first?
A: Yes. Wash off the mud and dry them first. Ozone helps reduce lingering odor and mold, but it does not replace washing out dirt.

Q: Should we keep foam pads that went under water?
A: If they sat in muddy water for a long time and smell from the inside, they usually need replacing. The team can help assess them one by one.

Q: Can the campsite stay open while the shed is being treated?
A: Yes, if the shed is separate from guest areas and clearly closed off. Most owners prefer to do it before reopening, which is simpler.

Q: What about the dogs that live on our site?
A: They must be kept away from the ozone treatment area and the fogging area until ventilation is complete.

Q: How long does the whole process take?
A: It depends on how much equipment you have and how wet it still is. Washing and drying usually take the longest. The ozone treatment and fogging themselves can often be completed in a day for a typical small campsite, plus ventilation time. The team will give you a realistic timeline after the survey so you can plan your reopening date.

Q: Can guests use their own tents on the field before everything is finished?
A: Only once the camping field has been cleared of mud and debris, the toilet block has been disinfected and any standing water near pitches has been dealt with. Rental gear that has not yet been treated should be clearly marked and kept out of circulation until it has been checked.

Q: Do you also treat glamping tents and bungalows?
A: Yes. Larger canvas tents, glamping units and small bungalows with beds and mattresses can be included in the plan, with the same safety rules: no people, pets or plants inside during ozone treatment, and full ventilation afterwards.

Q: Which areas do you serve?
A: Na Di, Kabin Buri, Mueang Prachin Buri, Prachantakham and nearby parts of Nakhon Nayok. Ask us on LINE @whd268.

Get your campsite ready for the cool season

Book a site survey for your campsite in Na Di and Prachin Buri.

Book Ozone Treatment – Click Here

View Disinfection Service – Click Here

Call 065-556-6294 · LINE @whd268 · Email worldhealthdisinfection@gmail.com

Related links

• Ozone treatment for odor and chemical residue
• Master Ozone Generator
• Mosquito spraying service
• All articles

Health reference: World Health Organization (WHO): Floods · Department of Disease Control, Thailand