An expert predicts Bangkok will be partly submerged in the next 30 years



BANGKOK: -- Parts of Bangkok are at risk of getting submerged permanent in the next 30 years because due to land subsidence coupled with rising sea level, said Associate Professor Vichitbusaba Marom, a town planning expert at Thammasat University, on Friday.

She pointed out that sea level has been rising at an average of 5 mm annually while land in Bangkok has been subsiding at an average of 2-28 mm a year with the western side of the Chao Phraya river subsiding at more than 10 mm annually compared to an average of 15 mm on the eastern side.

Land subsidence in industrial areas is faster, averaging 30 mm a year, said the professor, adding that this means, in the next 30 years, parts of Bangkok will be under water.

She pointed out that another factor contributing to greater risk of flooding is rain and water runoff from the north and quick urban development such as construction of buildings that block the natural flow of water.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/an-expert-predicts-bangkok-will-be-partly-submerged-in-the-next-30-years


-- Thai PBS 2015-03-27

I thought this is already happening at Samut Sakhorn area, southwest of Bangkok.

is this being reported as good news or bad news?

"And God said to Noah, 'I have determined to make an end of all flesh; for BKK is filled with violence through them; behold, I will destroy them with BKK. Make yourself an ark of gopher wood; make rooms in the ark, and cover it inside and out with pitch. This is how you are to make it: the length of the ark three hundred cubits, its breadth fifty cubits, and its height thirty cubits. Make a roof for the ark, and finish it to a cubit above; and set the door of the ark in its side; make it with lower, second, and third decks.

"For behold, I will bring a flood of waters upon BKK, to destroy all flesh in which is the breath of life from under heaven; everything that is in BKK shall die. But I will establish my covenant with you; and you shall come into the ark, you, your sons, your wife, and your sons' wives with you.

"And of every living thing of all flesh, you shall bring two of every sort into the ark, to keep them alive with you; they shall be male and female. Of the birds according to their kinds, and of the animals according to their kinds, of every creeping thing of the ground according to its kind, two of every sort shall come in to you, to keep them alive. Also take with you every sort of food that is eaten, and store it up; and it shall serve as food for you and for them.

Bangkok is vigorously combatting the gradual submersion of its 'lovely' city by methodically introducing layer upon layer of garbage. It is apparent that Thais believe that only by covering their city with copious amounts of garbage can they save their fair city. Unfortunately some of their valuable garbage has been washing away into the khlongs during heavy rainfalls but, thanks to the prayers to Buddha, they precious garbage is being kept from washing away by grids designed to catch their precious trash before it is swept away to underserving places like Pattaya.

Does the present regime accept this forecast - especially since other data suggest that BKK will be largely underwater much sooner, ie within the next 15 years? If so, what exactly are they doing to mitigate the likely disastrous consequences? If they don't accept it, what are their reasons for this and who will be accountable if they are wrong?

Does the present regime accept this forecast - especially since other data suggest that BKK will be largely underwater much sooner, ie within the next 15 years? If so, what exactly are they doing to mitigate the likely disastrous consequences? If they don't accept it, what are their reasons for this and who will be accountable if they are wrong?

They will remain in denial until the last Rat leaves the sinking City !

This is pretty old news, is it not?

I thought the last report was 10 years..

beautiful woman

beautiful woman

When the news is published by a beautiful and intelligent woman i always believe it.

On the other hand, when it's an overweight, balding, sagging jowl faced male expert, I dismiss it as scare mongering.

It's ok...those condos will look just as good as the Venetian palaces do.

beautiful woman

When the news is published by a beautiful and intelligent woman i always believe it.

On the other hand, when it's an overweight, balding, sagging jowl faced male expert, I dismiss it as scare mongering.

So you must believe every report coming out of TAT and YL

Not soon enough considering the road the country is going down tuee days.

Does the present regime accept this forecast - especially since other data suggest that BKK will be largely underwater much sooner, ie within the next 15 years? If so, what exactly are they doing to mitigate the likely disastrous consequences? If they don't accept it, what are their reasons for this and who will be accountable if they are wrong?

If Thaksin is still alive, I am sure some will attempt to blame him.

old news , the tube train will have a short life span is well known

I thought the last report was 10 years..

I heard of a similar report in 1983 when Bangkok suffered floods for a few months. Areas from Ekamai towards Bangna was only accessible by boats.

It's ok...those condos will look just as good as the Venetian palaces do.

Back to the boats.

It will be "The Venice of the East" again.

do you know how much the dutch live below the sea level in your measurement unit? they can live so can Bangkok people as an intelligent creature. just copy them.

do you know how much the dutch live below the sea level in your measurement unit? they can live so can Bangkok people as an intelligent creature. just copy them.

Do you think the Thai can build this?

do you know how much the dutch live below the sea level in your measurement unit? they can live so can Bangkok people as an intelligent creature. just copy them.

I believe it's 5 meters below sea level Amsterdam is, other parts of the country can't be sure, but do you honestly think the Thais will take advice from another nation in the same position?

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do you know how much the dutch live below the sea level in your measurement unit? they can live so can Bangkok people as an intelligent creature. just copy them.

I believe it's 5 meters below sea level Amsterdam is, other parts of the country can't be sure, but do you honestly think the Thais will take advice from another nation in the same position?

Would you believe any thai professor? Thai don't know anything about water, just look what happened this week in Sukhumvit, big floodings because of some hours of rain and that even when they just installed 8 huge pumps in tunnels.

I don't know how long it took Holland to build that system but sure more then some years. More likely some decades. But the Thai asked advice from the Dutch and even sent their government experts to see it themselves. I wonder what they learned from it, not much is done since the flooding. And what they did doesn't work properly.

Thailand is at a far greater risk of rising seas than their experts are willing to state, it is currently being viewed as gradual, but it is more than likely going to be sudden, and soon.

The last expert that was involved in he flood management plan in Bangkok in 2011 built a flood management control center that was one of the first places flooded.

Lets hope history does not repeat itself.

It is a problem that is created by building cities on land at the mouth of the river. The land normally sinks over time, but silt is brought from upriver and replenishes it. Once you build on it, it is no longer replenished so it just sinks over time. There are two solutions (other than relocating the city), and it usually involves in moving in now land to build up on (Singapore keeps on extending itself out). The other way is to build dams and pumps that keep out the water.... the city could sink for another couple hundred years and still be liveable -- even though it is below sea-level.

The floods of 2011 = shape of things to come

Be selling Songkran water guns at all the shops

Keep your plastic pouches~~!

And selling condos at 12 million baht in Bkk! Or trying to!

Looks like the mountainous regions will be overcrowded as Bankokians take their governor's advice and move.

Oh sorry, he was joking wasn't he and why did all we dummies have to get it pointed out ? it's a sad day when important people can''t say something stupid without the plebs taking it seriously.

Any truth in the story that he and the PM are forming a comedy duo ?

beautiful woman

When the news is published by a beautiful and intelligent woman i always believe it.

On the other hand, when it's an overweight, balding, sagging jowl faced male expert, I dismiss it as scare mongering.

So you must believe every report coming out of TAT and YL

Er no, I did mention intelligent.....