Bangkok is only 5 feet above sea level

[Hal65]

According to a quick Google search I did. does this mean if the sea level rises, Bangkok is likely to be flooded in the distant future?

[redandyellow]

Bangkok is only 5 feet above sea level

Just like my wife

exactly

[raro]

That's an established fact. The sea level doesn't even have to rise, Bangkok is itself is sinking. Has to do with tectonic, Continental drifts etc.

[ozyjon]

The Thai government was advised on this many

years ago and ignored the issue.

The people on the other hand are securing land

and building houses outside of Bangkok waiting

for the floods to come, that's why land prices are

going up.

[JimHuaHin]

And the more building there is in Bangkok, and the more big buildings there are in Bangkok, the quicker Bangkok sinks.

The logical Thai response .... build more and build more big buildings!!!!

I suppose that the Thais just think differently to the vast majority of the people in most of the countries of the world.

But, Thais know best .... it is called Thainess.

[Water Buffalo]

That's an established fact. The sea level doesn't even have to rise, Bangkok is itself is sinking. Has to do with tectonic, Continental drifts etc.

Makes me feel special to have experienced it.

So, how long has it got?

[ggt]

Would a submerged Bangkok...be a bad thing?

[JimHuaHin]

That's an established fact. The sea level doesn't even have to rise, Bangkok is itself is sinking. Has to do with tectonic, Continental drifts etc.

Makes me feel special to have experienced it.

So, how long has it got?

There have been numerous academic articles on this issue over the decades .. see for a list and partial details ... http://scholar.google.co.th/scholar?hl=en&q=bangkok+sinking&btnG=&as_sdt=1%2C5&as_sdtp=

For a recent general discussion see ... http://www.pattayamail.com/news/bangkok-sinking-at-alarming-rate-26440

[neeray]

That's an established fact. The sea level doesn't even have to rise, Bangkok is itself is sinking. Has to do with tectonic, Continental drifts etc.

Makes me feel special to have experienced it.

So, how long has it got?

I have read reports that say Bangkok like many other coastal cities will be under water by 2027.

[Srikcir]

That's an established fact. The sea level doesn't even have to rise, Bangkok is itself is sinking. Has to do with tectonic, Continental drifts etc.

Makes me feel special to have experienced it.

So, how long has it got?

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/681787-parts-of-southeast-bangkok-sinking-by-up-to-28mm-a-year-seminar-told/

Parts of Southeast Bangkok sinking by up to 28mm a year - you do the math.

In six years, coastal erosion could eventually reach Sukhumvit Road

[Water Buffalo]

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Would a submerged Bangkok...be a bad thing?

Not really, I suppose.

I just told my GF, she doesn't believe it.

I wonder what they will do about it?

[Bernard Flint]

The Thai government was advised on this many

years ago and ignored the issue.

The people on the other hand are securing land

and building houses outside of Bangkok waiting

for the floods to come, that's why land prices are

going up.

Sirs

As the farangs from sinking Bangkok hate Pattaya, where will you go?????

[Water Buffalo]

The Thai government was advised on this many

years ago and ignored the issue.

The people on the other hand are securing land

and building houses outside of Bangkok waiting

for the floods to come, that's why land prices are

going up.

Sirs

As the farangs from sinking Bangkok hate Pattaya, where will you go?????

They will probably go where ever Bangkok gets moved to.

[lopburi3]

Much of Bangkok is at or just above sea level - this has been true for decades. The main cause of sinking was removed several decades ago when most well pumped water was made illegal (but some still occurs).

Large buildings are supported by bedrock and do not sink or cause sinking - look at the older large buildings and see how much higher they ware than any roads that have not been made higher recently. The Bangkok mud/clay does so roads and non supported structures do go down.

As for flooding from rising sea level it is possible but a lot less likely than the many islands that have no place to go. Bangkok is still some distance from salt water and more effected by rain than tide but over time that can change if preventative measures are not taken. Talk is starting on that. Cities can survive, even below sea level. Believe Bangkok will survive (at least in short term).

[Neilly]

Would a submerged Bangkok...be a bad thing?

Maybe that's why someone was suggesting they reopened up the canals they filled in years ago...then we'll have the Gondola Mafia

[Naam]

Would a submerged Bangkok...be a bad thing?

no

[freebyrd]

I first heard this late 80's, why is it such surprising news now?

[KonaRain]

The accepted science is <I think> nine feet in a century.

1 millimeter per year..I'm talking Sea Level, hellish sinking,another story.

Plenty of time to mitigate.

Alohz

[lopburi3]

That must be newest new math - 100 millimeters = 9 feet?

[warrimurf]

I did a geo survey search before building in Bangkok as every one that builds an extension or similar end up with BIG cracks and movement in the foundations.

Some interesting facts came up.

The first 15m-25m is soft gooey grey clay. No good for structures, not even single story houses.

Then down from25m to 70m or deeper it's hard brown clay, this is where your foundations must go to make it stable. This layer of brown clay seals and sits on top of the water basin which was/is being pumped out causing the ground to sink up to 1cm a year.

The whole of the Bangkok area sits on a clay basin which goes as deep as 600m.

It would appear the major cause of water level changes is the pumping out of the water under Bangkok.

I believe there are efforts to reverse the trend by pumping water back.

[lopburi3]

Water is not being pumped back AFAIK (although it has been discussed) and very little is still being removed. But expect the real danger remains the sea rather than Bangkok sinking. Everywhere on earth sinks and grows with new materials - so that 1cm can easily be replaced with new construction and trash. You may have to rebuild every few decades however to maintain being on the surface.

[Time Traveller]

It would appear the major cause of water level changes is the pumping out of the water under Bangkok.

I believe there are efforts to reverse the trend by pumping water back.

What pumping out of water? Are you just telling lies or have you actually witnessed this?

[lopburi3]

Water pumped from wells is water pumped out - in the past this was very common in Bangkok with most housing areas having there own well and pump and charging for water - several decades ago it became such a serious concern with the rapid sinking of the ground surface level that it become illegal in most cases - but Bangkok and the area affecting it is very large and public river treated water does not reach everyone.

[slipperylobster]

That's an established fact. The sea level doesn't even have to rise, Bangkok is itself is sinking. Has to do with tectonic, Continental drifts etc.

Sinking to new levels....

[masuk]

Would a submerged Bangkok...be a bad thing?

Why do you think there are so many houses and condos being built in the north?

[Berkshire]

The Thai government was advised on this many

years ago and ignored the issue.

The people on the other hand are securing land

and building houses outside of Bangkok waiting

for the floods to come, that's why land prices are

going up.

Sirs

As the farangs from sinking Bangkok hate Pattaya, where will you go?????

If BKK is submerged, wouldn't Pattaya, Phuket, and other "beachfront properties" be underwater as well?

[Ghostnigel]

If Bkk floods, don't come and make Korat city the new Bkk, like they said....don't need all you soap stars and movie stars living here! Shit, did i say that out loud, no room at the Inn, sorry.

[Ghostnigel]

I have lived in Bkk, too much traffic. Its busy enough here already, A nice balance will be ok. Maybe the BTS can come, and a bit of Nana and Asiatique, oh, bring Foodland and Villa Market. Thank you, over and out...for now!

[Ghostnigel]

Hope Swampy stays afloat, might need to make a quick getaway...you never know!

[Loptr]

Meh, New Orleans is 18 feet below sea level and has been for over a century... It is settling too, just like Bangkok... Once NOLA finally goes, give Bangkok another 100 years or so, then start worrying...