Can Thailand Avoid Becoming A Modern-Day Atlantis?

[webfact]

Can Thailand Avoid Becoming a Modern-Day Atlantis?

By Stephen Finch

BANGKOK: -- Just north, workers were scheduled by mid-September to finish protecting another cornerstone of Thailand’s economy – Ayutthaya, the ancient capital which draws millions of visitors each year.

“All our main infrastructure is in good condition,” said Royol Chitradon, director of Thailand’s Hydro and Agro Informatics Institute.

The difference between 2012 and 2011, he says, is that the watershed area has been extended, widened, reinforced and rehabilitated, additional pumps have been installed to increase water flow out of populated areas and the water in the main dams was steadily reduced leading up to the start of the wet season in May.

Although areas in the north and west of the country have seen flooding recently – so too Bangkok – the monsoon season has not been half as ferocious as last year says Adityam Krovvidi, head of the Asia-Pacific office of Impact Forecasting, a risk modeling division at the World’s biggest insurance company Aon Benfield.

“Bangkok has already seen [the] near ‘perfect storm’ last year,” he said of the wet season, which included five tropical storms, already [more...]

Full story: http://thediplomat.c...day-atlantis/2/

-- THE DIPLOMAT 2012-09-10

[MaxLee]

With that patriotic, racism corruption and rip-off attitude that's going on in this country, and where the rich and powerful can practically do whatever they want without getting punished,... that's where mother nature is whooping Thailand's a$$ in the long run 20-50 years go past by very fast, and the Global Warming continues, but Thais always say, "Cha yen yen, mai pen rai", until it's always too late

[BookMan]

Songsuda Adhibai, co-founder of S+PBA, an architecture firm that made headlines recently when it designed a Bangkok cityscape floating on water, says the Thai capital’s future flood problems are not just about building dykes and ferrying in sand bags. Long-term solutions are needed, she says, ones which plan ahead beyond just managing water and consider the whole layout and function of the city.

“Don’t ask [so] far ahead about serious flooding,” says Songsuda. “Bangkok is a city that doesn’t have a master plan.”

A quote from the last two paragraphs of the article.

[MaxLee]

Songsuda Adhibai, co-founder of S+PBA, an architecture firm that made headlines recently when it designed a Bangkok cityscape floating on water, says the Thai capital’s future flood problems are not just about building dykes and ferrying in sand bags. Long-term solutions are needed, she says, ones which plan ahead beyond just managing water and consider the whole layout and function of the city.

“Don’t ask [so] far ahead about serious flooding,” says Songsuda. “Bangkok is a city that doesn’t have a master plan.”

A quote from the last two paragraphs of the article.

No Master plan,.... Oh, ouuh,.... Gotta get out of here when I finished my Masters degree at International College next year...

[trainman34014]

As Bangkok slowly sinks the Master Plan will be implemented.....'Abandon Ship' !

[h90]

With that patriotic, racism corruption and rip-off attitude that's going on in this country, and where the rich and powerful can practically do whatever they want without getting punished,... that's where mother nature is whooping Thailand's a$$ in the long run 20-50 years go past by very fast, and the Global Warming continues, but Thais always say, "Cha yen yen, mai pen rai", until it's always too late

The non existing global warming, that let maybe the sea level rise 2 mm will brake Thailands neck....

[Ned]

Drive around much of the country and you'll see roadside fields being filled with warehouses or factories or houses. Millions of square metres of concrete being laid on the land week by week. They get only four inches of rain in Uttaradit and hundreds of homes are under water and Ayutthaya's in a panic waiting for the deluge. People get on forums and criticize the govt for not building enough flood barriers or providing enough protection.

As they say: "You write your own script."

[midas]

here are some artists impressions but there is an emphasis that

residents would have to rely much less on the car ! Does that mean it will never happen?

http://trendsupdates.com/wetropolis-a-floating-city-that-might-might-keep-bangkok-from-sinking/

[Soutpeel]

To answer the question posed in the OP....Yes BKK can avoid becoming another Atlantis, but this will take commitment, money, leadership, vision and forward planning to bring this into fruition....so in conclusion...go and buy your snorkle, wet suit and plastic boat now...

[MaxLee]

here are some artists impressions but there is an emphasis that

residents would have to rely much less on the car ! Does that mean it will never happen?

http://trendsupdates...k-from-sinking/

With that upcoming first car discount policy, or whatever it's called, people buy more cars, and more cars mean, more greenhouse gases to be released, also with the fact that more trees will be cut down, more deforestation, as nature organisations have absolutely no power over the money hungry greedy businessmen who can shoot people dead behind closed doors, if they have to,...

Bangkok will be gridlocked and mounted by the weight of more high rise buildings, a million more cars PER YEAR, and if that weight AND the greenhouse gases add up more PER YEAR... Do you get the idea????

But government still insist "Protect Bangkok"

[FarangTalk]

The Atlanteans were an advanced civilisation with learned scholars, advanced technology for the time and a Utopian society.

I fail to see the comparison with Thailand.

[Stokakrishna]

No need to worry. Buddha will help

[maidu]

Atlantis was a mythical place. The only similarity, is Bangkokians also have their heads in the clouds - of superstition.

*Deleted quote edited out*

Is 'woodcaulk' what you call that mass between your ears? Just kidding. But GW is not a hoax. It's only a hoax for those who are determined to clench their eyes and ears closed (with ear flaps?). Essentially all the scientists and environmentalists worldwide agree that average temperatures are rising decade by decade. Those who have visited glaciers and/or the poles are unequivical about it. Now, to what degree it's exacerbated by Man, is debatable. After hundreds of hours of personal research, I feel that Man is a major contributor to GW, on many levels. We don't have to agree note for note, but keep your eyes and ears open to what people are observing first hand. That will shed some light on the issue.

Edited September 11, 2012 by Scott
Deleted quote edited out

[Huayrat]

They will bathe in the glory that the flooding is not bad this year and say its all been succesful but Just you wait til the next normal rainy season when it will flood again and the ppl will revolt

[Gone]

Maybe they should consult the Mayor of New Orleans?

[Gone]

Anyone who thinks that global warming is a hoax needs to buy a TV

[RubbaJohnny]

Venice and Amsterdam seem to cope,easy have amasked ball with Dutch Cap

tUK never looked back once the Orangemen waded in,mercantilism took offThe Flemish weaving Guilds make Jim Thompson spin in his abcence.

On thePolders Lelystad was built below sea level.

The Amert and wealthy Chinese dont care they will psh off to Hong Kong Melborne C Mai or somewhere nicer when the chute hits the fun.

The remaining watr rats of the city of the angels will adapt love me deep time.

Tukktuks with whores,sorry oars,Boatfines,canal markets,Underwater casinos and Indian tailors.Big C in a canoe.Swim-by muggings ,Somtam off a canoe the floating market.Swampy can be the best submarine hub etc

.Its all hpothetical the world is due to end 12.12 .12 Tom Booze's mayan Chronograph told me.An unheard American Magazine read by 3 Thai (owners in LA) will award it best Swamp

Hello Crocs its an open buffet

Edited September 10, 2012 by RubbaJohnny

[EarthAlien]

Can Thailand Avoid Becoming a Modern-Day Atlantis?

Yes,.. of course,- just keep Plodrasob in charge of the flood management program!

[dunkin2012]

The most pessimistic forecasts suggest parts of the capital could be underwater by 2030. this is very interesting. i feel it is similar to the case of Christmas Island where they chopped off all the trees on the island to build the poles. Day by day, all are gone. they started to fight with each others for the limited natural resources left on the island. only the island's not under the sea water.

[MrMo]

This is the usual sort of blinkered, bigoted, prejudice journalism we can expect from Bangkok. Bangkok is not Thailand. It is just a relative small party of the country and, therefore, if it were to do an "Atlantis" the Thai capital wouldn't be greatly missed by the vast majority of Thai citizens and "guests" living in those parts of the country that are well above the flood-lines.

Flooding is what you get when you lop down forests and cover much of the ground with concrete in order to make money.

For those who wish to move away from the flood plains, come to Isan. We are over 500 feet above sea-level and have lots of land available for which we won't rip you off much more than Bangkokites rip us of when we need to visit their dirty, polluted city.

[robblok]

There is

This is the usual sort of blinkered, bigoted, prejudice journalism we can expect from Bangkok. Bangkok is not Thailand. It is just a relative small party of the country and, therefore, if it were to do an "Atlantis" the Thai capital wouldn't be greatly missed by the vast majority of Thai citizens and "guests" living in those parts of the country that are well above the flood-lines.

Flooding is what you get when you lop down forests and cover much of the ground with concrete in order to make money.

For those who wish to move away from the flood plains, come to Isan. We are over 500 feet above sea-level and have lots of land available for which we won't rip you off much more than Bangkokites rip us of when we need to visit their dirty, polluted city.

There isn't a piece of Thailand more densely populated then BKK. So in a way its valuable and will be missed greatly. I live to the north of BKK and on higher ground. Maybe in future it will be nothaburi on the sea.

But to say that BKK is unimportant sounds a lot like envy.

[TommoPhysicist]

To answer the question posed in the OP....Yes BKK can avoid becoming another Atlantis, but this will take commitment, money, leadership, vision and forward planning to bring this into fruition....so in conclusion...go and buy your snorkle, wet suit and plastic boat now...

Don't know about Atlantis, but Venice is quite a popular tourist destination.

Maybe Bangkok should just go with the flow and start ordering a few gondolas.

[atyclb]

Songsuda Adhibai, co-founder of S+PBA, an architecture firm that made headlines recently when it designed a Bangkok cityscape floating on water, says the Thai capital’s future flood problems are not just about building dykes and ferrying in sand bags. Long-term solutions are needed, she says, ones which plan ahead beyond just managing water and consider the whole layout and function of the city.

“Don’t ask [so] far ahead about serious flooding,” says Songsuda. “Bangkok is a city that doesn’t have a master plan.”

A quote from the last two paragraphs of the article.

No Master plan,.... Oh, ouuh,.... Gotta get out of here when I finished my Masters degree at International College next year...

No Master Plan, No mini Plan, but they've sure got a lot of "dykes".

[asiawatcher]

My wife consulted Dr Future and was told Bangkok will go under water in the near future. Cheap 3 1/2 town story house up for grabs - payment accepted in fried grasshopper, bats wings and buffaloes. Contact the OP.

[hellodolly]

Can Thailand Avoid Becoming a Modern-Day Atlantis?

Yes,.. of course,- just keep Plodrasob in charge of the flood management program!

I think they are taking this serious.

Rumor is they are looking at Jutuporn to save the day.

[hellodolly]

This is the usual sort of blinkered, bigoted, prejudice journalism we can expect from Bangkok. Bangkok is not Thailand. It is just a relative small party of the country and, therefore, if it were to do an "Atlantis" the Thai capital wouldn't be greatly missed by the vast majority of Thai citizens and "guests" living in those parts of the country that are well above the flood-lines.

Flooding is what you get when you lop down forests and cover much of the ground with concrete in order to make money.

For those who wish to move away from the flood plains, come to Isan. We are over 500 feet above sea-level and have lots of land available for which we won't rip you off much more than Bangkokites rip us of when we need to visit their dirty, polluted city.

Only one small point you missed they don't have to make a dime off of it to cause floods.

Mother Nature rules,

[DocN]

This is the usual sort of blinkered, bigoted, prejudice journalism we can expect from Bangkok. Bangkok is not Thailand. It is just a relative small party of the country and, therefore, if it were to do an "Atlantis" the Thai capital wouldn't be greatly missed by the vast majority of Thai citizens and "guests" living in those parts of the country that are well above the flood-lines.

Flooding is what you get when you lop down forests and cover much of the ground with concrete in order to make money.

For those who wish to move away from the flood plains, come to Isan. We are over 500 feet above sea-level and have lots of land available for which we won't rip you off much more than Bangkokites rip us of when we need to visit their dirty, polluted city.

This is the usual sort of arrogant, bigoted, prejudice and holier-than- though attitude, we can expect from some expats with a know-it-all education.from outside Bangkok.

Just how many of your Isan- fellow- men /women, will loose their job, once Bangkok is gone? One 6th or 5th of the Thai-population lives or works in and near Bangkok, an even bigger part in businesses, that co-operate with companies or people in Bangkok, even from heavenly and dry Isan..

[TommoPhysicist]

Just how many of your Isan- fellow- men /women, will loose their job, once Bangkok is gone? One 6th or 5th of the Thai-population lives or works in and near Bangkok, an even bigger part in businesses, that co-operate with companies or people in Bangkok, even from heavenly and dry Isan..

There will be quite a bit of construction work around replacing BK, I don't think Issan folk need worry all that much.

[bamukloy]

Maybe they should consult the Mayor of New Orleans?

Interesting to see the comparison to New Orleans. I can remember long ago, a coloured preacher down south who liked to give long sermons on the "sinfullness iniquities of man and his propensity to cheat and lust for all that is wicked" etc,...as being the reason why New Orleans was sinking down into hell.

I guess theres some similarity with Bangkok,seeing how both places are built on low lying areas and swamp land

[GentlemanJim]

Atlantis was a mythical place. The only similarity, is Bangkokians also have their heads in the clouds - of superstition.

Thats brilliant bumpkin.....I suppose once you have your "Masters degree" you can explain all the fabricated data of the great global warming hoax.

Is 'woodcaulk' what you call that mass between your ears? Just kidding. But GW is not a hoax. It's only a hoax for those who are determined to clench their eyes and ears closed (with ear flaps?). Essentially all the scientists and environmentalists worldwide agree that average temperatures are rising decade by decade. Those who have visited glaciers and/or the poles are unequivical about it. Now, to what degree it's exacerbated by Man, is debatable. After hundreds of hours of personal research, I feel that Man is a major contributor to GW, on many levels. We don't have to agree note for note, but keep your eyes and ears open to what people are observing first hand. That will shed some light on the issue.

There was I starting to think you had written a good post until your last sentence. What hundreds of hours of personal research? On google? There is absolutely no evidence whatsoever to support a theory of Anthropogenic Global Warming, it is all complete tosh. The world may be getting warmer, it may not, the world has gone through hundreds, if not thousands of cycles of climate change in it's history. If scientists were to direct their attention to that very large yellow hot thing in the sky we might stand a chance of minimising the effects on the global population, but then that would not get the billions of dollars of research funding for scientists that is provided by the billions of dollars in the hoax carbon credits trade would it.

Back to Bangkok being the next Atlantis ! I think in some parts you may get your feet damp, but it is hardly going to sink without trace in a period of 24 hours is it. Necessity is the mother of invention! Some bright spark will come up with a solution, however expensive it may be when the time demands it.