SURVEY: Bangkok, sinking into the sea or not?

[Scott]

Over the years there have been various predictions about the future of BKK and the surrounding area, from land subsistence to rising sea levels.   Which of the following best fits your opinion of the situation?

 

Please feel free to leave a comment.

[klauskunkel]

That could be the start of a new TAT campaign: Visit Bangkok before it's too late

[Misterwhisper]

31 minutes ago, klauskunkel said:

That could be the start of a new TAT campaign: Visit Bangkok before it's too late

A free canoe for every new arrival, perhaps even a snorkling mask.

[Reigntax]

Bangkok is built on a river delta. Natural sediment that would be deposited during flooding is now washed away by hard surface development.

 

It is nothing more than the continual development of unsuitable ground to establish a major city without considering the long term natural impacts.

[RotBenz8888]

Measures are already taken by continuously deposit more and more garbage to maintain land, in particular durable stuff like plastic.

[KhunBENQ]

It's no secret that it is sinking since long.

Saw some documentary with stunning examples like shop entrances below street level (street been raised/filled up).

Roads under elevated highways sinking below pillar foundation etc.

[bkk6060]

They could just build more city in the water as they do in Hong Kong.

[ChrisY1]

Nothing to do with BKK sinking....rising sea levels are the real problem. As in Jakarta, rising sea levels are becoming serious, hence the decision to move the capitol.

The sinking of BKK can be seen along roads below overhead freeways....(overhead carparks actually)...where pile caps are being exposed, usually ground off with a profiler....

[Nyezhov]

Probably not a lot of folks here qualified to give a real opinion, especially me, but Venice and Nawleens have been sinking for years too. Unfortunately, areas that suit civilization best are suited least for permanence.

[korkenzieher]

About 8 years ago, it was announced that Bangkok *had* sunk 20 cm a year for the last 2 decades. That would be 4 metres - 5 by now - meaning that central Bangkok should already be under water. I am afraid that a combination of scaremongering and ludicrous number inflation (are you listening TAT) is a universal feature in this mentality of wanting to be seen to be top of the list, but impervious to any critical analysis of the numbers you dream up.

[Lemonltr]

I thought that the problem was subsidence not subsistence. 

[Yinn]

Weird question to ask the member. How they will know?

 

 

[IAMHERE]

I don't really mind that it is going to sink into the sea except the Falang will be expected to pay more for the privilege. I'm guessing 800,000 baht for long term expats.

 

[otherstuff1957]

36 minutes ago, korkenzieher said:

About 8 years ago, it was announced that Bangkok *had* sunk 20 cm a year for the last 2 decades. That would be 4 metres - 5 by now - meaning that central Bangkok should already be under water. I am afraid that a combination of scaremongering and ludicrous number inflation (are you listening TAT) is a universal feature in this mentality of wanting to be seen to be top of the list, but impervious to any critical analysis of the numbers you dream up.

Someone missed a decimal point.  The average subsidence is about 1 - 3 cm per year, depending on which part of Bangkok you are looking at.  The researcher probably stated that Bangkok has sunk 20cm in the past 20 years, and the scientifically illiterate reporter probably took that as the yearly figure.

 

Sea Level Rise depends on two things: melting polar and glacial ice and thermal expansion.  Thermal expansion affects the tropical areas the most.  Global average sea level rise, based on satellite data, is about 3.3 millimeters per year, with some areas only going up 1mm per year and others going up at 5 or 6mm per year.  When you add this to the local land subsidence, it is easy to see that Bangkok will be flooded within 3 decades unless extensive sea walls are built.

[zhounan]

1 hour ago, KhunBENQ said:

It's no secret that it is sinking since long.

Saw some documentary with stunning examples like shop entrances below street level (street been raised/filled up).

Roads under elevated highways sinking below pillar foundation etc.

Do you have any link to these documentary?

[Salerno]

1 hour ago, ChrisY1 said:

As in Jakarta, rising sea levels are becoming serious, hence the decision to move the capitol.

As per Bangkok, Jakarta is sinking, nothing to do with climate changer or projected sea rises other than the combination makes the sinking a bigger problem.

 

Ridiculous the way some people try to link these issues to climate change.

[mfd101]

Sea walls won't protect BKK unless they also divert the Chao Praya River (but where to?).

 

As the sea rises (with or without 'sea walls'), the river will have nowhere to go, except sideways.

[LawrenceN]

2 hours ago, Yinn said:

Weird question to ask the member. How they will know?

 

 

I agree. This is not a matter of opinion. This question can only measure which media point of view is dominant.

[lopburi3]

1 hour ago, zhounan said:

Do you have any link to these documentary?

It is no secret city was sinking badly and was much worse years ago when well water was normal source for moobans and factory use here in Bangkok.  Siam Center stairs were quickly a huge leap to get up from road (within a year or two).  Any ride North of airport in outside lane of normal road found you going up and down at every tollway support.  If you build on mud and weight a lot and/or remove the water you tend to go down.  It has been slowed by limiting well water usage but it is still an issue.

[uhuh]

1 hour ago, zhounan said:

Do you have any link to these documentary?

I just need to walk around the neighborhood to see it.

It's a bit more than 20cm in 20 years,  more like 20cm in 10 years,  but i guess it depends on the location

[khunPer]

When BKK is flooded TAT can reuse the old tourist slogan "Venice of the East", eventually updated to "Amazing Venice of the East"...????

[Number 6]

Pretty simple to deduce. Just look at the topographic maps. I'm certain when we see flooding again it will be far worse. Bangkok has been doing everything it shouldn't and the potential in the atmosphere is ever more an issue. When will the levee break quite literally is unknown.

 

Continued use of groundwater.

 

Massive heavy buildings, small footprint

 

Building in areas that are natural runoff, greenspace.

 

We all know Thailand right?! What does it prepare for? What does it get right?

[WhatupThailand]

45 minutes ago, khunPer said:

When BKK is flooded TAT can reuse the old tourist slogan "Venice of the East", eventually updated to "Amazing Venice of the East"...????

More like "City of Angels" will become "City of Mermaids"

and TAT can reuse the old tourist slogan "Venice of the East",

eventually updated to "Atlantis of the East"

 

PS: Save that plastic Folks, cause it Floats...

 

[Xonax]

3 hours ago, zhounan said:

Do you have any link to these documentary?

Just come to Bangkok and see with your own eyes. But before Bangkok sinks, there will be build huge walls of plastic waste on the coasts of Thailand.

[Xonax]

2 hours ago, mfd101 said:

Sea walls won't protect BKK unless they also divert the Chao Praya River (but where to?).

 

As the sea rises (with or without 'sea walls'), the river will have nowhere to go, except sideways.

They managed to solve this problem in Holland, Venice and London. All it takes is politicians with balls instead of deep pockets.

[worgeordie]

Good excuse for the Government to buy a fleet of Submarines

from China.

regards worgeordie

[uhuh]

The official plan seems to be a dam from Pattaya to Huahin

[Curt1591]

We were spending our ชิม ช้อป ใช้ cash, having lunch at Baan Rabiangnam today, watching the Chao Phraya river flow by. The curious thing is that, over 60 kilometers from the sea, the river was flowing upstream. Helps one realize just how low much the delta is. 

[JAS21]

We don't live that far  from Chaengwattana Makro, so not that far above 'sea level'. I have suggested to MrsJ several times that we should sell up and move ...all I get is her saying 'they have been saying'  Bangkok will flood as long as she can remember.

 

I do note that the new Princess Chulabhorn Hospital ground floor is at least 1.5M above the local road....

[Reigntax]

5 hours ago, KhunBENQ said:

It's no secret that it is sinking since long.

Saw some documentary with stunning examples like shop entrances below street level (street been raised/filled up).

Roads under elevated highways sinking below pillar foundation etc.

Whenever a hard surface reduces the moisture content in any soil, the soil shrinks. The examples you state are typical and expected.

But there is no measurable momement in column because the foundations will have been designed and calculated for correct soil type and resistance