Researching & developing
flame-retardant
coconut coir mats.

Developed with ranger input and laboratory testing at King Monkut's University of Technology Thonburi (KMUTT), these coated coconut coir mats have been adopted by a local community for small-fire use. Research continues into their potential to slow ground-level wildfire spread.

Tul Sosothikul · NIST International School

Founder & Student Researcher

Lab-tested at KMUTT · Local small-fire use · Ongoing development
Tul and park personnel positioning a coir mat on bare soil at the Khun Khan field pilot
Field pilot · Khun Khan National Park, Chiang Mai · 6 June 2026

Why This Project Began

My work with the Forest Rangers Service Group included supporting equipment donations and helping build firebreaks in Northern Thailand. Conversations with rangers about carrying equipment across difficult terrain prompted me to investigate flame-retardant materials, progressing from treated cotton cloth to coated coconut coir mats.

Explore the Project

Tul Sosothikul taking notes while speaking with forest rangers
Tul Sosothikul with forest rangers

THE STUDENT BEHIND THE PROJECT

Tul Sosothikul

Student Researcher · NIST International School

Developing prototypes, documenting observations and learning from field feedback.

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