BANGKOK – Mosquitoes are known as some of the biggest carriers of disease worldwide. They kill more people every year than any other animal in the world, and in 2015 alone, Thailand experienced a more than 207% increase in dengue patients. That made it one of the worst years in recent history for this deadly mosquito-borne disease.
The Duang Prateep Foundation, a non-profit charity dedicated to improving the lives of slum residents, wanted to do something about this. The result is MotoRepellent.
MotoRepellent : Saving Lives One Ride At A Time from BBDO Bangkok on Vimeo.
MotoRepellent was created to help combat mosquito infestation and mosquito-borne illnesses in the slums with motorcycles. As seen in the ad by BBDO Bangkok, the reasoning behind the use of motorcycles is because in Thailand, like mosquitoes, these vehicles are everywhere.
MotoRepellent is a light-weight, mobile device filled with non-toxic mosquito repelling oil and magnetically attached to the end of a motorcycle’s exhaust pipe. Heat from the exhaust activates the oil and mosquito-repelling scent is propelled out into the air via exhaust pressure.
As the main mode of transportation in the slums, motorcycles easily navigate the narrow alleys and reach every corner. As the motorcycles pass by, mosquitos within a radius of up to three meters are repelled, giving residents a safer, mosquito-free environment.
The ad from BBDO Bangkok enumerates the previously mentioned facts and statistics flashing one at a time with different scenes from a Thai slum (described as “mosquito heaven”) in the background. The scenes are not quite graphic, but disturbing enough to get one’s attention.
The introduction of the world’s first mosquito filter is described, as well as what is it composed of and how it can be attached to the exhaust pipe of any motorycle. A few Thai residents then share their opinions on the ease with which MotoRepellent can be used and how effective it has been so far. It is a testament to the inventors of this life-changing item for thinking outside the box in order to come up with a unique solution to a serious health problem.
