Report Race Against Time: Bangkok May Be Below Sea Level by 2030

[webfact]

Composite for reference only
 

Bangkok's Infamous Floods Set to Worsen as City Sinks Alarming Rate

 

Bangkok, already infamous for its snarled traffic and severe flooding, now faces an even more alarming future - potentially vanishing beneath the waves within a decade if climate change and unchecked development continue at their current pace.

 

Recent studies have flagged Bangkok and Jakarta as two of Southeast Asia’s fastest-sinking cities.

 

According to The Guardian, Bangkok is subsiding by over a centimetre each year and could fall below sea level by 2030, posing a grave threat to millions of residents and jeopardising the Thai capital’s status as a major tourism and business hub.

 

Jakarta, facing a similar situation, is sinking even faster—dropping up to 17 centimetres annually, primarily due to excessive groundwater extraction. In response to the sinking threat, Indonesian officials have endorsed an ambitious plan to relocate the capital city, moving it 100 miles away from Java. Projected to span a decade, this massive undertaking will cost approximately 1.2 trillion baht.

 

Bangkok faces an equally formidable challenge. To combat the annual deluges during the monsoon, the city has turned to creative solutions like Chulalongkorn University Centenary Park, an 11-acre green space designed to absorb a million gallons of rainwater. However, experts caution that such efforts are merely temporary solutions against the backdrop of rising sea levels.

 

A significant study from Nanyang Technological University (NTU) in Singapore foresees global sea levels rising by as much as 1.9 metres by 2100 if carbon emissions remain unchecked. “The high-end projection underscores the need for decision-makers to plan critical infrastructure accordingly,” stated Dr Benjamin Grandey, lead author of the research.

 

These projections highlight the urgent necessity for Bangkok to implement sustainable infrastructure and climate policies. Urgent measures are needed to both mitigate the subsidence of the city and prepare for the long-term effects of climate change.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-07-16

 

 

[ikke1959]

I read this kind of topic already for several years, but I never read an article that states that the Government is making plans to find a new location for the capital. Indonesia however is already building a new capital for years, but in Thailand I suppose they will start when the water is in the streets, even in the dry season

[Geoffggi]

Bangkok need to relocate the capital before its too late

[thesetat]

Quite the contrary to what is suggested here. developers are trying to remake Bangkok rather than moving it. I read previously that they have chosen not to move the city because of the cost. I wonder if with the amount of rain that falls there why they have not researched ways to inject the floods underground to fill the losses that are making the city sink.. I do not know if that is a feasible option or if it would work. But given Bangkoks yearly flooding problem surely something can be done using that excess water to alleviate the sinking problem. 

[Jim Blue]

47 minutes ago, Geoffggi said:

Bangkok need to relocate the capital before its too late

Takes about 10 years or more to do that .........

[KhaoHom]

More climate alarmist propaganda. This site must rely on most of its income from woke dark money.

 

 

Government already up in CW. Massive complexes and housing.

[blaze master]

New Orleans is sinking man and I don't wanna swim. 

[BritManToo]

They seem confused, Bangkok sinking and sea levels rising are completely separate things.

 

1. Sea levels aren't rising.

 

2. Bangkok may be sinking, as building on top of a swamp then extracting the groundwater may cause sinking.

[proton]

We drive through flood water in bkk from the klong  even in the dry season. It was not like this 10 years ago. No drains does not help!

[JonnyF]

More climate alarmist garbage.

 

On a brighter note, at least the idiots who believe this nonsense will hopefully move elsewhere. Bangkok has enough loons already, especially foreign ones. 

 

 

[MarkBR]

6 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

They seem confused, Bangkok sinking and sea levels rising are completely separate things.

 

1. Sea levels aren't rising.

 

2. Bangkok may be sinking, as building on top of a swamp then extracting the groundwater may cause sinking.

Sea levels are rising , loads of data on that.  Bangkok is also sinking (on that you were correct).  The combination means Bangkok will need to relocate to somewhere.  Main question is where, with a subsidiary question as to the speed required.

[JimHuaHin]

An additional problem in Thailand is that everything is controlled by Bangkok, especially supply and computer systems.  Massive flooding in Bangkok and surrounding low areas will shut down many computer systems.

[ezzra]

Would that mean that everyone will have sea view from their property? surly it's; a god thing, no?

[dinsdale]

No Problem

[pomchop]

26 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

They seem confused, Bangkok sinking and sea levels rising are completely separate things.

 

1. Sea levels aren't rising.

 

2. Bangkok may be sinking, as building on top of a swamp then extracting the groundwater may cause sinking.

https://www.climate.gov/news-features/understanding-climate/climate-change-global-sea-level

[KhaoHom]

To be blunt...

 

I consume modest amounts of power, do not own auto, limit air trips to a few a year. Holidays are usually outdoors enjoying nature not hustling about in big cities in taxis

 

I have no spawn.

 

I really don't give a F about fake climate change. Enough of the American dream has been squandered that I really don't much care about the future of a bunch of wealthy elite kids.

 

I don't contribute, I don't harm, but I'm absolutely not going to sacrifice.

[nauseus]

Just now, dinsdale said:

No Problem

 

Or known problem? This issue has been known of for as long as I can remember but fast development has still been allowed, like:

 

Billions of tons of hotels, pillars, commercial towers and condos etc. all pushing down on the clay.

 

Klongs filled in and inadequate or difficult  drainage routes.

 

Cement and concrete everywhere impeding natural water sink inlets. 

 

 

But I still love the place and hope it survives.

 

[Briggsy]

3 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

I read this kind of topic already for several years, but I never read an article that states that the Government is making plans to find a new location for the capital. Indonesia however is already building a new capital for years, but in Thailand I suppose they will start when the water is in the streets, even in the dry season

There have been several proposals to move the capital to Nakhon Nayok dating back a long time. 

 

Here's one from 6 years ago but the proposal was put forward a lot further back than that.

 

https://mgronline.com/specialscoop/detail/9620000090649

 

(It's in Thai but it is Thailand)

[quake]

Here, have a life jacket.

 

[Callmeishmael]

I really don't think that they will move the capital, and even if they do, there are many businesses based in Bangkok that could not be easily moved.

 

They seem to be implementing the Dutch solution.  There are already extensive dykes along the riverside they will almost certainly be extended around the city to create what is called a polder.  The real question is what will happen to the outlying areas that will not be enclosed.  Will they just have to live with seasonal flooding?  Or will they become a de facto green zone around the empoldered capital?  

[connda]

OMG!!!  I guess Thailand will need to demolish all of Bangkok and move to Ayutthaya!!!  Or most likely, corporation and the government will continue to build infrastructure and new building as the trope that "Bangkok Is Sinking Into The Sea" is utter nonsense. If there was any "there" there, then the insurance companies would be the first to stop insuring property in Bangkok.  

Anyone see that happening?  By 2030?  How about 2040? 2050?

The answer is "No."  Now did they build it on a swamp?  "Yes."  Do tidal forces back up water into BKK and make drainage an issue especially during floods.  "Yes."  Did the Thai government fill-in the canal system which was a major part of the solution of draining BKK.  "Yep!" What is that called?  "P*ss-poor planning but SOP for Thailand."  Is Bangkok going to "Sink Into The Sea."  "No."  Are they ways to mitigate the entire issue of having built a city in a low-lying swamp with drainage issues.  "Yes - just ask the Dutch who have much, much bigger issues."

[jimmybcool]

I dunno.  Maybe hire some engineers from Netherlands?  This isn't exactly rocket science.  

[FritsSikkink]

3 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

I read this kind of topic already for several years, but I never read an article that states that the Government is making plans to find a new location for the capital. Indonesia however is already building a new capital for years, but in Thailand I suppose they will start when the water is in the streets, even in the dry season

You don't need a new capital; half of the Netherlands is below sea level.

[edwinchester]

11 minutes ago, FritsSikkink said:

You don't need a new capital; half of the Netherlands is below sea level.

The Dutch have managed that situation for hundreds of years. The Thais on the other hand seem unwilling or unable to take the necessary actions to either move the capital or lessen the impact of sealevel rise/land subsidence. 

[KhaoHom]

56 minutes ago, connda said:

 I guess Thailand will need to demolish all of Bangkok and move to Ayutthaya

 

Already prone to flooding

 

But you knew that 😉

[KhaoHom]

In the end Thailand will do nothing because the nation is gridlocked between competing influences none of which are aligned with the good and betterment of Thailand.

 

Well the nation wobbles sideways for decades the power and Parliament is concerned with casinos and gambling presumably as a method for generating tax. Jingoism on the border.

[unblocktheplanet]

1 hour ago, Briggsy said:

There have been several proposals to move the capital to Nakhon Nayok dating back a long time. 

I remember Chachoengsao being proposed decades ago.

 

It was shortsighted for all these developers to not use stilts under highrises... 

[KhaoHom]

I just realized how stupidly insane the headline is

 

If this were true - literally it would also be true to state

 

Bangkok will largely be underwater in four years

 

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[Hardcastle P]

1 hour ago, jimmybcool said:

I dunno.  Maybe hire some engineers from Netherlands?  This isn't exactly rocket science.  

They had advice from the Dutch after the 2011 great food but totally ignored it.

[thesetat]

35 minutes ago, KhaoHom said:

I just realized how stupidly insane the headline is

 

If this were true - literally it would also be true to state

 

Bangkok will largely be underwater in four years

 

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

There have been many stories about this through the years to lend credence to this one. 

The implications of this activity accelerates the sinking state of Bangkok, as it is a low lying city built on the banks of the Chaophraya river. Experts have estimated that due to rising sea levels, parts of Bangkok may be submerged by 2030. Posted 7 years ago... http://www.thailand-real-estate-law-center.com/thailand-real-estate-attorney/bangkoks-massage-parlors-stealing-city-groundwater/

 

It said the committee found it would make more sense to build a strong system around Bangkok, which is thought to be sinking, and surrounding provinces, to protect them.

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/politics/2957518/sea-barrier-better-than-relocating-thailands-capital.