PUBLISHED: 10 Feb 2025 at 18:20
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is collaborating with various agencies to combat the persistent coastal erosion impacting Bangkok’s shoreline in the Bang Khunthian district.
Jessada Chandraprabha, director of the BMA’s Drainage and Sewerage Department, recently shared insights on ongoing initiatives to tackle this pressing issue.
He indicated that the department is actively engaging with relevant agencies to design and implement projects aimed at preventing and mitigating the effects of coastal erosion and rising sea levels in the upper Gulf of Thailand, affecting areas such as Bangkok, Samut Prakan, and Samut Sakhon.
A meeting held on January 29 included representatives from various agencies, such as the Department of Climate Change and Environment (DCCE). Priority projects established in this session seek a permanent commitment to effectively address the erosion challenges.
Wave Barrier Initiatives
One significant project, backed by the BMA last year, focuses on combating the shrinking coastline through the construction of a 4.7-kilometre stone wave barrier.
This initiative, currently in the procurement phase, is designed to trap sediment and enhance soil nutrients, promoting the growth of local mangrove forests.
In addition, the Drainage and Sewerage Department is working alongside agencies like the Bang Khunthian district office and the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources to collect data and devise strategies to counter coastal erosion while continuously monitoring rising sea levels.
Since 2016, the Bang Khunthian district office has played a proactive role in coastal erosion mitigation. Supported by public and private organizations, as well as local inhabitants, the district office has successfully constructed a 2.2-kilometre wave buffer made of bamboo along the coastline.
Furthermore, over 107,000 mangrove saplings have been planted, resulting in an expansion of the mangrove forest by 233 rai, reinforcing the area’s natural defenses against erosion.
