Thailand Debates Costly Move to Relocate Capital from Bangkok

[Toby1947]

If the proposed barrier lasts as long as other water protection projects the cowboys have built in the likes of Pattaya. Bangkok should last an extra fortnight. 🤣😂

[Bday Prang]

4 hours ago, kwilco said:

THis is usually  the choice of militaristic governments and dictatorships....

who's capital cities are slowly sinking?

[blaze master]

15 minutes ago, Gottfrid said:

If so, please feel free to stop fighting and just let nature have it´s way. Good luck in the afterlife!

 

Thank you for the kindness. 

[Donga]

4 hours ago, kwilco said:

 

THis is usually  the choice of militaristic governments and dictatorships....

 

Not sure where you that notion.

Quite a few countries have moved their capital from the largest city for main reason of reducing population, but also make it more neutral - thinking of Canada, Australia, Indonesia, Nigeria, Netherlands, Turkey, Brazil.

Think it makes a lot of sense and Nakhon Ratchasima would be ideal. Good political move and with high speed rail, public servants could live half way and not that far from Bangkok or Korat.

[shackleton]

Pie in the sky never going to happen 

To much invested in Bangkok 

[Purdey]

They moved the parliament to a new building in Dusit in 2021. The delays drove the cost up from 14 to 23 billion baht. It must have been a good little earner. Now, moving a whole city... I can't imagine the kick backs. 

[JJ-Thailand]

17 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

 

 

Flooding in Bangkok | Photo via Bangkok Post/Somchai Poomlard

 

A proposal to move Thailand's capital from Bangkok to Nakhon Ratchasima has sparked debate, as a government study highlights the high costs and complexity of such a project. The Interior Ministry reported that relocating the capital would require a significant budget and a public referendum. This suggestion came from Patchara Jantararuangtong, a member of the Pheu Thai Party, during a parliamentary session on October 12, 2023.

 

Opposition to the move points at strengthening infrastructure in Bangkok and nearby areas, which are at risk of sinking. On November 28, 2023, the Cabinet tasked the Interior Ministry with exploring two options: moving the capital or building a barrier to protect Bangkok.

 

The Cabinet reviewed these findings on February 4, 2024. Experts agree that any decision would need a comprehensive impact assessment, considering how businesses, jobs, and daily life might be affected.

 

 

 

The study recommends building a sea barrier or setting up regional centers to reduce the pressure on Bangkok's central agencies. It also evaluated infrastructure in Nakhon Ratchasima, focusing on its roads and high-speed rail links to other regions.

 

Further research on water resources is crucial for sustainable and eco-friendly development. The study also suggests examining capital relocations in other countries for more insights.

 

State officials are seeking funding to assess the impact of sea level rise on the Chao Phraya River and explore long-term solutions.

 

-- 2025-02-10

 

 

 

[JJ-Thailand]

First he wants to digitalize everything, then he is screwing up the visa system and tax the foreigners before moving the capital. 
Why screwing up a nice and pleasant country?

[Nairbem]

18 hours ago, timendres said:

 

November 28, 2053 --

Thai government considers moving capital from Bangkok to Nakhon Ratchasima. Ministry of Interior tasked with exploring...

While sitting knee deep in water !

[CapeCod]

Something has to be done. The short term looks bad, a sea barrier is medium term, a new city looks best for the long term.

 

The Chinese construction teams would make a good job of this and would put money in if it is part of BRI.

 

Learn from Neom https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NEOM.

[MadAtMatrix]

4 hours ago, save the frogs said:

AI, which countries have moved their capital cities?

 

AI Overview

Many countries have moved their capital cities, including Brazil, Nigeria, Kazakhstan, and more. 

 

Countries that have moved their capital cities 

• Brazil: Moved from Rio de Janeiro to Brasília in 1960
• Nigeria: Moved from Lagos to Abuja in 1991
• Kazakhstan: Moved from Almaty to Astana in 1998
• Malaysia: Moved from Kuala Lumpur to Putrajaya in 2001
• Myanmar: Moved from Yangon to Naypyidaw in 2005
• South Korea: Moved from Seoul to Sejong in 2007
• Tanzania: Moved from Dar es Salaam to Dodoma in 2023
• Russia: Moved from Moscow to St. Petersburg between 1712 and 1918

Indonesia is in the process of moving their capital from Jakarta to Nusantara 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nusantara_(city)

[Gottfrid]

1 hour ago, Donga said:

Think it makes a lot of sense and Nakhon Ratchasima would be ideal. Good political move and with high speed rail, public servants could live half way and not that far from Bangkok or Korat.

Just one thing. Korat and Nakhon Ratchasima is to names for the same city.

[DaRoadrunner]

Yet another brilliant well thought out Thai plan. Ain't no way the wealthy elite are going to move to Nakhon Nowhere and watch their prime real estate in Bangkok go under water. Just take all the used condoms to make a sea wall barrier.

[kimothai]

18 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

State officials are seeking funding to assess the impact of sea level rise on the Chao Phraya River and explore long-term solutions.

I think that's all this article is about, just money to line pockets.  Bangkok sinking was reported at least 40 years ago.

[madone]

12 hours ago, daveAustin said:

^^^ Well, this is a Thai forum after all. Hardly relative. Thais probably care as much about what happens in Cajun country as the latter do Thais.

 

its a song

[Xonax]

6 hours ago, Joe Boy Walton said:

I wonder who owns the land in Nakhon Ratchasima?

Probably the same influential families, who owns most of the vacant land in Bangkok, which have never been priced higher than now.

[Bundooman]

20 hours ago, timendres said:

 

November 28, 2053 --

Thai government considers moving capital from Bangkok to Nakhon Ratchasima. Ministry of Interior tasked with exploring...

November 28, 2653 --

Thai government considers moving capital from Bangkok to Nakhon Ratchasima. Ministry of Interior tasked with exploring...

 

November 28, 2699 --

Thai government considers moving capital from Bangkok to Nakhon Ratchasima. Ministry of Interior tasked with exploring...

 

 

[zyphodb]

14 hours ago, lordgrinz said:

Most of the rich Elites live in the lowest-lying areas, so you'll get to watch them squirm first if Bangkok goes underwater.

 

And that fact guarantees that they'll build a sea wall... 

[zyphodb]

13 hours ago, connda said:

Fyi, I've driven though that much water in Korat back in the day.  Korat floods too.

 

Don't forget global warming, Chiang Rai maybe???

[Briggsy]

2008

 

Can't find the article.

 

2019

 

https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/general/1761309/a-capital-idea

 

2025

 

Still talking about it

 

2035

 

Will still be talking about it.

 

2045

 

Sinking.

 

2046

 

Underwater.

[watchcat]

2 hours ago, DaRoadrunner said:

Ain't no way the wealthy elite are going to move to Nakhon Nowhere and watch their prime real estate in Bangkok go under water

Thats not where they're living.

 

 

 

 

[pacovl46]

I used to live in Korat and it's prone to flooding as well, so what's the point? 

[oxo1947]

 

You get flooding in BKK partly due to the fact that the Chao Phraya   is a  Tidal Estuary  river , Like the Thames River in London--- or the Hudson River in USA,

It flows both ways & when the ocean rises and there is also a lot of rain--- then the spillage.

You can build a flood Barrier---Like they did 50 years ago  in London---it  is one of the largest movable flood barriers in the world. 

It does however do what they wanted.

 

Or you could move just the government dept to Issan...

[Denim]

22 hours ago, timendres said:

 

November 28, 2053 --

Thai government considers moving capital from Bangkok to Nakhon Ratchasima. Ministry of Interior tasked with exploring...

 

January 30th 2083.

 

Glug glug glug , splash splash splash.

[Dexxter]

16 hours ago, lordgrinz said:

Most of the rich Elites live in the lowest-lying areas, so you'll get to watch them squirm first if Bangkok goes underwater.

Might take a while for the water level to reach their penthouses, and they will still have their helipads on the roof.

[kwilco]

6 hours ago, Donga said:

 

Not sure where you that notion.

Quite a few countries have moved their capital from the largest city for main reason of reducing population, but also make it more neutral - thinking of Canada, Australia, Indonesia, Nigeria, Netherlands, Turkey, Brazil.

Think it makes a lot of sense and Nakhon Ratchasima would be ideal. Good political move and with high speed rail, public servants could live half way and not that far from Bangkok or Korat.

The military will love you....

[Suetape]

Hope Trump doesn’t get wind of this!  He’s been looking for another STATE to add to his resume.  

[kwilco]

7 hours ago, Donga said:

 

Not sure where you that notion.

Quite a few countries have moved their capital from the largest city for main reason of reducing population, but also make it more neutral - thinking of Canada, Australia, Indonesia, Nigeria, Netherlands, Turkey, Brazil.

Think it makes a lot of sense and Nakhon Ratchasima would be ideal. Good political move and with high speed rail, public servants could live half way and not that far from Bangkok or Korat.

 

 

I think we can learn from history…New Capitals  are often tools of authoritarian  regimes to centralise and consolidate their power.

New capitals are frequently employed by authoritarian regimes as tools of control. By moving away from politically engaged, historically significant urban centres, these governments aim to weaken opposition, reinforce regime legitimacy, and construct carefully controlled environments that reinforce their ideological goals. Whether through monumental architecture, geographic repositioning, or rigid urban planning, these capitals serve as physical manifestations of authoritarian power, insulating rulers from democratic movements and consolidating their grip over national affairs.