Bangkok's Potential Need for Massive Flood Defence
Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt has suggested that a massive defence structure like London's Thames Barrier may be essential to protect Bangkok from flooding. The city is vulnerable to high tides, rising sea levels, and coastal erosion. Currently, measures like the Phra Khanong watergate and sandbagging efforts are in place, but more robust solutions are being considered.
Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt has suggested that a massive defence structure akin to London's Thames Barrier may be essential to protect Bangkok from flooding during high tide.
Bangkok, being a low-lying basin, is particularly vulnerable to high tides and rising sea levels.
Currently, the Phra Khanong watergate helps prevent flooding, but increasing sea levels and elevated Chao Phraya River levels might render it insufficient.
Sittipunt asserts that such a large-scale flood defence project will require government support, impacting several provinces along the river, including Chachoengsao, Samut Sakhon, Samut Songkhram, and Nonthaburi.
The Thames Barrier, spanning 520 metres across the River Thames near Woolwich, is the world's second-largest retractable flood defence and protects 125 square kilometres of central London.
In addition to tidal concerns, Bangkok faces sea erosion along its Bang Khunthian coast.
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has plans for a coastal dam and increasing the height of some coastal roads to combat these issues.
Furthermore, the BMA is reinforcing flood levees along the Chao Phraya with two million sandbags ready for emergencies.