The Marine and Coastal Resources Conservation Centre 2 in Samut Sakhon province has set up an innovative bamboo barrier designed to stave off coastal erosion. Meanwhile, Bangkok isn’t sitting idle—plans are underway to construct a similar bamboo wave barrier in the Bang Khunthian district. (Photo: Pattarapong Chatpattarasill)
Intriguingly, an idea is gaining traction that could reshape the coastal landscape dramatically. Imagine a new city built from reclaimed sea areas spanning about 300,000 rai, from Samut Prakan’s Pak Nam of Muang district to the Tha Chin River’s mouth in Samut Sakhon. This ambitious land reclamation project doesn’t just aim to provide new living space; it doubles as a crucial mechanism to protect Bangkok from looming flood threats and tackle the persistent issue of coastal erosion in the Bang Khunthian district, nestled between Samut Prakan and Samut Sakhon.
The brainchild behind this vision is none other than former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. During his much talked-about dinner discussion, “Vision for Thailand 2024,” held in Bangkok on August 22, he highlighted this reclamation project as one of the pivotal future developmental plans for the government.
Urgent Need
Support for this audacious plan is palpable. Suchatvee Suwansawat, a luminary in civil engineering, emphasized, “It’s a good sign that a figure of such prominence acknowledges the seriousness of this matter.” For many, this proposal symbolizes fresh hope, a beacon for those desperately trying to save Bangkok from increasingly severe flooding and the gnawing menace of coastal erosion.
Suchatvee, who previously helmed King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang and currently serves as the deputy leader of the Democrat Party, insists, “The government must prioritize bolstering the economy while fighting to protect Bangkok from relentless flooding should be recognized as equally paramount.” He reiterated the call for awareness about the impacts of global warming, stating, “Everyone, not just engineers, needs to grasp the gravity of global warming.”
On technical grounds, the feasibility of reclaiming land in Bang Khunthian’s eroded coastal zones and adjacent seas is undeniable. “Waiting for natural sediment deposition is futile,” he argued, pointing to past proposals to build groynes—structures designed to curb erosion. “Given the current rate of erosion, these measures won’t suffice.”
He emphasized the urgency of the situation by pointing out that over 2 kilometers of coastal land have already vanished into the sea. “The prime minister and the Bangkok governor should act on this reclamation idea immediately,” he stressed. Despite being proposed long ago, it seems the authorities have been dragging their feet.
Bamboo sticks have been adopted for breakwater construction in the past. However, Suchatvee critiqued their durability, noting, “They turn into sea debris within a year or two.” Even concrete power posts donated by the Metropolitan Electricity Authority, despite being sturdier than bamboo, have fallen short of providing a definitive solution. Growing more mangroves? Not practical either.
Compounding problems of erosion, sea intrusion has begun creeping into parts of Bangkok like Bang Kholaem, Silom, Sathon, and Phra Nakhon. Residents in these neighborhoods have even reported brackish tap water—a telltale sign of this encroaching issue.
Lessons from Singapore
Assistant Professor Thon Thamrongnawasawat, deputy dean of the Faculty of Fisheries at Kasetsart University, shares Suchatvee’s optimism, drawing parallels with Singapore’s successful land reclamation models. He commented, “If environmental safeguards are in place, the project could be viable.” Singapore is already planning an impressive new island named Long Beach, set to parallel a major road leading to its airport, he noted.
However, Thon cautioned, “Even with strong commitment and a hefty budget, the project won’t materialize overnight. It could take 5-10 years.” If Bangkok were to emulate Singapore’s model, sufficient funding for an effective environmental protection system would be a necessity. “Though adding this system could spike costs by 3-10%, it’s indispensable,” he warned.
Ignoring this critical aspect could spell disaster, triggering new sets of problems. Marine life in the seashore areas, for instance, could die out. “The pressing question is, will the government invest enough to safeguard the environment?” Typically, budget constraints force cuts, with environmental protection being the first casualty.
Meanwhile, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is hustling to construct a sea dyke to safeguard Bang Khunthian’s 47km coast from further erosion. More than 2,700 rai of coastal land has already succumbed to erosion, and the sea dyke project is currently undergoing an environmental impact assessment.
This is a monumental plan! Finally, someone is thinking ahead to save Bangkok from the constant threat of flooding and erosion.
Monumental or delusional? This kind of massive project could disrupt marine life and ecosystems permanently.
I get your concern, but you can’t deny that something drastic needs to be done. The city can’t keep sinking.
Exactly. Look at Jakarta—they’re relocating the capital because of similar issues. Bangkok might be next unless we act.
Is it really wise to listen to Thaksin Shinawatra? His past projects were controversial for a reason.
True, but desperate times call for desperate measures. Who else has proposed a feasible solution?
Feasible? This plan could bankrupt the city! The economic implications are massive.
Would you rather let the city drown? Sometimes risk is necessary for survival.
This project is just a pipe dream. The government never follows through on these big promises.
Sadly, I have to agree. We’ve seen so many ‘ambitious’ plans that never materialize.
Exactly. Why should we believe this will be any different?
If we dismiss every bold idea, we’ll never advance. Let’s give it a chance.
Singapore’s land reclamation model is indeed successful, but can Bangkok implement it effectively?
Good point. Singapore has the discipline and funds. Bangkok might fall short on both counts.
True, but why not aim high? We can learn from their successes and mistakes.
Learning is one thing, but replication is another. Bangkok needs a unique solution tailored to its own challenges.
What a waste of resources. The money could be better spent alleviating poverty or improving education.
A fair point, but if the city floods, what good are those programs then?
Maybe, but that doesn’t justify such a risky and untested endeavor.
Infrastructure often gets prioritized for a reason—it underpins everything else. Without it, nothing else matters.
People are overreacting. Coastal erosion has always been an issue, and we’ve managed so far. No need for such drastic measures.
Anyone who thinks bamboo sticks will help needs to reassess. We need real, durable solutions, not quick fixes.
Has anyone considered the environmental impact on marine life?
Good question. Environmental safeguards should be non-negotiable.
Without a plan to protect marine life, this could backfire horribly.
Glad we’re seeing eye-to-eye on this. We can’t afford to be shortsighted.
Thon Thamrongnawasawat makes a valid point about budget cuts. Environmental protection is always the first to go, which is shortsighted.
The idea of a 300,000 rai city is fascinating. But what will happen to the existing coastal communities?
Remember, without advanced engineering, this project will fail. We need to invest in robust construction, not just quick solutions.
Spot on. We can’t afford to do this halfway.
Absolutely. Cutting corners will only lead to disaster.
With global warming getting worse, any delay is unacceptable. We need immediate action.
This is a classic case of overpromising and underdelivering. Color me skeptical.
Is there a way to ensure the new land is just as fertile and viable for building?
Anyone else worried about the societal shift this could bring? New cities often have unforeseen social consequences.
True. Massive projects like this can displace communities and create new kinds of inequality.
Exactly my point. Social impacts need to be studied and addressed.
I’m all for saving Bangkok, but not at the cost of the environment. Striking a balance is crucial.
Given the frequency of government corruption, I’m skeptical about where the funds for this project will actually end up.
A valid concern, but that’s all the more reason to monitor and ensure transparency.
Agree, but transparency hasn’t exactly been the strong suit of Thai politics.