Goal 13 : Climate Action

BANGKOK: Thailand may have to consider relocating its capital Bangkok because of rising sea levels, a senior official in the country's climate change office told AFP on Wednesday (May 15).

Projections consistently show that low-lying Bangkok risks being inundated by the ocean before the end of the century.Much of the bustling capital already battles flooding during the rainy season.

A 3C temperature increase will cause “precipitous declines in output, capital and consumption that exceed 50% by 2100” the paper states. This economic loss is so severe that it is “comparable to the economic damage caused by fighting a war domestically and permanently”, it adds.

Pavich Kesavawong, deputy director-general of the government's Department of Climate Change and Environment, warned that the city might not be able to adapt with the world on its current warming pathway.

I think we are beyond the 1.5 (degrees Celsius) already. Now we have to come back and think about adaptation. I imagine Bangkok will be under water already, if we stay in our (current) circumstance.

Bangkok's city government is exploring measures that include building dikes, along the lines of those used in the Netherlands, he said.

But we've been thinking about moving. Personally I think it's a good choice, so we can separate the capital, the government areas and business areas. Bangkok (would) still be the government capital, but move the business.

Climate change could force Bangkok to move, official warns

CNA Insider: Bangkok May Be Gone In 30 Years