FR-Mek (Fire Danger Rating System for Lower Mekong Region in Support of Forest Fire Management and Control) (in Thai: ระบบแจ้งระดับชั้นอันตรายของไฟสำหรับพื้นที่ลุ่มแม่น้ำโขงตอนล่างเพื่อสนับสนุนการจัดการและควบคุมไฟป่า) was selected as a Top Ten Finalist (Social Category) and received the Certificate of Honor on Oct. 5, 2016 from the National Innovation Awards Contest 2016 (NIA2016). This event is annually held since 2005 by the National Innovation Agency (Public Organization), the Ministry of Science and Technology. FR-Mek predicts the potential fire risk over the region (covering Thailand, Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam) daily for 5 days in advance at moderate-to-high spatial resolutions (see http://www2.dnp.go.th/gis/FDRS/FDRS.php for details). The system integrates climate, fire, and biomass fuel sciences together with numerical weather prediction. It has officially been routinely operated by the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) since late 2015. Its development began in 2013 and still continues until now. The key developers are Dr. Kasemsan Manomaiphiboon (JGSEE), Dr. Veerachai Tanpipat (independent and adjunct-JGSEE researcher), Mr. Prayoonyong Nhuchaiya (DNP), and Mr. Narin Jaroonrattanapak (DNP). In the past year, it received a funding to support the development from the National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT) under administration of the Biodiversity-Based Economy Development Office (Public Organization). The Hydro and Agro Informatics Institute (Public Organization) is the main supporter for FR-Mek operation. The JGSEE has provided general support for the work. In the NIA2016, a total of 252 innovations (Economic and Social Categories combined) were submitted for consideration.
