Author Topic: Thailand's capital should be moved to the north-east, says top scientist  (Read 154 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Johnnie F.

  • Administrator
  • Korat forum specialist
  • *****
  • Posts: 2805
  • Karma: 49
Thailand's capital should be moved to the north-east, says top scientist


Dr Art-Ong Jumsai na Ayudhya, a former scientist at the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (Nasa), has called for the relocation of Thailand's capital to the Northeast.

Speaking at a seminar on climate change, natural disasters, and the future of Thailand, Art-ong said Bangkok is sinking every year because of the rising sea level.

Citing the rising amount of rainfall and the rising dam water level in 2010 and 2011, he said the trend will worsen in 2012 and in coming years, so authorities have to increase efficiency in draining the excess water into the sea.

Regarding the capital, he said, far-sighted leaders should consider relocating out of Bangkok, which has been the country's capital for more than 200 years, to a higher ground such as one of the 16 northeastern provinces.

Relocation of the capital will take at least 20 years and a brand-new capital should be built as Bangkok will face difficulties in managing excess water in the next seven or eight years.

AsiaOne
. . .

Saf

  • Korat forum specialist
  • *****
  • Posts: 1328
  • Karma: 30
  • Oldie
    • The Grumpy Expat
Re: Thailand's capital should be moved to the north-east, says top scientist
« Reply #1 on: February 05, 2012, 08:26:10 PM »
Just behind The Mall would be perfect.

He forgot to mention water extraction as a cause. There are places in Bangkok where you can see that the pavement has sunk away from the surrounding buildings.

Is there any evidence, other than 'a scientist paid by the UN says', that sea level is rising? The Maldives are still there, 2" above sea level and 2' below G&T level.

Lebowski

  • Korat forum reporter
  • ****
  • Posts: 278
  • Karma: 14
  • Expat
Re: Thailand's capital should be moved to the north-east, says top scientist
« Reply #2 on: February 05, 2012, 08:56:07 PM »
I think Bangkok is considered to be about 1.5 to 2 meters above sea level at present.

Moving the capital? What? Are they going to do a Burma job and just build a new capital in the middle of nowhere? About as much chance as a snowman in hell, just some academic mouthing off that has nothing better to do and who barely lives on the same planet as everyone else, even if his long term predictions have some merit.

Never going to happen as no government that's in power for 4-5 years is seriously going to try to set that in motion or swallow that kind of expense, unless on royal orders.

If they moved it to Korat then fine, everyone should start buying as much land as possible.  :evilgrin

Saf

  • Korat forum specialist
  • *****
  • Posts: 1328
  • Karma: 30
  • Oldie
    • The Grumpy Expat
Re: Thailand's capital should be moved to the north-east, says top scientist
« Reply #3 on: February 05, 2012, 09:03:15 PM »
He's not the first to suggest it.

The government isn't likely to do much until its feet are wet but businesses might make their own decisions.