A remarkable effort to combat coastal erosion is underway at the Marine and Coastal Resources Conservation Centre 2 in Samut Sakhon province. Here, bamboo barriers are being installed as a natural yet effective solution. Simultaneously, Bangkok is gearing up to erect its own bamboo wave barrier in Bang Khunthian district, showcasing a united front against nature’s relentless force of coastal erosion. (Photo: Pattarapong Chatpattarasill)
The ambitious vision of creating a sprawling new city by reclaiming about 300,000 rai of sea area—from Samut Prakan’s tambon Pak Nam of Muang district to the Tha Chin River’s mouth in Samut Sakhon—is steadily gaining traction. This management strategy doesn’t just aim to urbanize the region but serves as a crucial defensive measure to prevent Bangkok from drowning under floodwaters. It also stands to halt the ever-worsening coastal erosion in Bangkok’s Bang Khunthian district, nestled between Samut Prakan and Samut Sakhon.
First floated by former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra during his enlightening dinner talk, “Vision for Thailand 2024,” held on August 22 in Bangkok, this proposal figures prominently on the government’s future development agenda.
Urgent Need
Suchatvee Suwansawat, a well-respected civil engineering expert, echoes the idea, stressing its overdue implementation. “It’s a significant moment that such an influential figure recognizes the gravity of this issue,” he asserted. For many working tirelessly to shield Bangkok from floods and other hazards associated with coastal erosion, this proposal represents a ray of hope.
Suchatvee, a former president of King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang and now a deputy leader of the Democrat Party, passionately believes that while economic development remains the government’s prime focus, safeguarding Bangkok from escalating flood threats deserves equal urgency. “Global warming’s impact on flooding isn’t a recent discovery; it’s something we should have focused on long ago,” he emphasized. “Both engineers and the general public need to understand the ramifications of global warming.”
He asserts that filling the eroded coastal areas of Bang Khunthian and its adjacent seas is technically feasible. This action could create more habitable land in this district, which has been shrinking alarmingly due to severe coastal erosion. Relying on the slow natural sediment deposition process, proposed earlier through building groynes perpendicular to Bang Khunthian’s shoreline, simply can’t keep pace with the rapid erosion, he warned.
“Both the prime minister and the Bangkok governor should take this land reclamation proposal seriously. This should have been a long-standing initiative. We’ve already lost more than two kilometers of coastal land,” he reiterated. This suggestion was tabled at City Hall ages ago, but no action has been taken since, he lamented.
Bamboo sticks, currently used to construct breakwaters, are not durable and become sea waste within one to two years. “Even the Metropolitan Electricity Authority’s donation of concrete power posts, though sturdier, isn’t a comprehensive solution,” he noted. Growing more mangroves isn’t adequate either, he said.
In addition to the coastal erosion problem, sea intrusion is a pressing issue affecting other parts of Bangkok, including Bang Kholaem, Silom, Sathon, and Phra Nakhon. Households in these areas occasionally experience brackish tap water, signaling a sea intrusion issue, he elaborated.
Lessons from Singapore
Backing the land reclamation idea is Asst Prof Thon Thamrongnawasawat, deputy dean of the Faculty of Fisheries at Kasetsart University. He agrees the project could succeed if environmental safeguards are maintained. He pointed to Singapore’s model, which includes an ambitious plan to build a new island parallel to a road leading to its airport, named Long Beach.
“But realistically, this can’t be done in just five or ten years; a significant budget and unwavering commitment are essential,” he explained. If Bangkok were to replicate Singapore’s model, it would need a substantial budget to ensure a robust environmental protection system is in place.
Although incorporating an environmental protection system might elevate the costs by 3-10%, it’s indispensable, he argued. Skipping this crucial component might lead to unforeseen problems, including the extinction of marine life that typically inhabits seashore areas.
“The real issue here is whether the government is committed enough to invest massively in this endeavor,” he asked. “Traditionally, when project budgets become constrained, the first to be cut tends to be the environment protection fund.”
On a positive note, the BMA has announced it is fast-tracking a project to build a sea dyke to protect Bang Khunthian’s 47km coast from further erosion, following the loss of more than 2,700 rai of coastal land. Currently, this project is undergoing an environmental impact assessment.
I’m thrilled about these bamboo barriers! It’s such a natural and eco-friendly approach to a serious problem.
Sure, they might be eco-friendly, but do they actually work long-term? Seems like a Band-Aid solution if you ask me.
Tommy18, bamboo barriers might not be a complete solution, but they’re a step in the right direction. It’s important to start somewhere.
Exactly, Hannah. Plus, anything that helps buy time for more permanent solutions is worth considering.
Thaksin’s vision is visionary, but let’s not forget that implementing such large-scale projects without thorough environmental impact studies can be disastrous.
Disastrous? Come on, Dr. Patel. Sometimes you have to take risks to get rewards.
FieryFred, environmental concerns are crucial. Without considering them, you might solve one problem but create ten more.
Dr. Patel, completely agree. Impact studies are a must. We can’t afford to ignore the environmental consequences.
Why are we so eager to compare ourselves to Singapore? Their situation is entirely different from ours.
Alex R, Singapore’s model is just an example of success we could potentially emulate. No one says we should copy them exactly.
Alex R, true, we have unique challenges, but it’s good to learn from others’ successes and failures.
Instead of these massive land reclamation projects, why not invest heavily in mangrove restoration? It’s natural and proven to work.
Bangkok wouldn’t be facing this if we didn’t have a habit of ignoring long-term solutions in favor of quick fixes.
Lina P., easier said than done. Long-term solutions need visionary leadership and continuous support, which is often lacking.
Ken, you’re right. But if we don’t start demanding these changes now, when will it ever happen?
I’ve read that concrete solutions like seawalls might be more effective in the long run. Are we considering those too?
Concrete structures can have severe negative impacts on marine ecosystems. Bamboo and mangroves are at least somewhat more sustainable.
You guys are missing the point. The real issue is not the method but the urgency of action. We’re already behind schedule!
Michael K, I agree, but the method matters too. Poor choices could make things worse.
Sea intrusion causing brackish tap water is terrifying. We need action now to fix this.
Alice W, it’s not just about fixing it; we need preventive measures to ensure it doesn’t happen again.
Dexter, spot on! Prevention is always better than cure.
300,000 rai of land reclamation sounds too ambitious to me. How realistic is this, really?
Harry, it’s ambitious, no doubt, but not impossible. With the right commitment and resources, it’s feasible.
Ronnie, I just hope the budget doesn’t get wasted on poor management and corruption.
Does anyone even care about the local communities? These projects sound good on paper but might displace people.
Bangkok is rapidly sinking. If we don’t act now, it’ll be too late!
Victor, this kind of alarmism isn’t helpful. We need measured actions, not panic.
Eliza M, urgency doesn’t mean panic. We need focused, decisive action.
I can get behind that, Victor. Clear, strategic planning is key.
As long as Thaksin isn’t directly involved, I’m supportive. The plan seems solid but needs transparency.
Does Thaksin even have the credibility to push this? His past makes me skeptical.
Land reclamation isn’t just about building more land; it’s about maintaining ecosystems. Let’s not forget that.
Precisely, Gman. Without ecosystem balance, all this effort could be for nothing.
Honestly, as long as something gets done, I’m happy. Just tired of all the talk and no action.
A sea dyke sounds like a better long-term solution. Why isn’t that being prioritized?
Timothy S, sea dykes are being considered, but they also require huge investments and maintenance.
Rebecca D, better to invest in lasting solutions than keep patching up problems.
We’re already late to the game on addressing climate threats. Time to catch up fast.
Joaquin, at least we’re acknowledging the threats now. Better late than never.
Environmental protection funds should never be cut. They are integral to the success of these projects.