1.Thailand, a country renowned for its vibrant culture, is facing a big decision. As rising sea levels threaten to engulf low-lying areas, including Bangkok, the possibility of relocating the capital has emerged as a serious consideration.
2.This revelation comes from a senior official in Thailand’s climate change office, who warns that projections indicate a real risk of inundation before the century’s end.
3.“The world is already warmer than before, and we need to think about how to deal with this,” a person in charge of climate issues in Thailand said. They’re worried that if nothing changes, Bangkok could end up underwater.
4.But this isn’t a tale of doom and gloom alone. People are coming up with smart ideas, like building strong walls to keep the sea out, similar to what they do in the Netherlands.
5.Thailand is also taking important steps to protect the environment and fight climate change. They’re working on new laws to reduce pollution and become more eco-friendly. Here’s how serious is the issue. Will Thailand relocate its capital?
‘Beyond 1.5 degrees Celsius already’
6.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. Projections consistently show that low-lying Bangkok risks being inundated by the ocean before the end of the century.
7.Much of the bustling capital already battles flooding during the rainy season. 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.
8.“I think we are beyond the 1.5 (degrees Celsius) already,” he told AFP, referring to the increase in global temperatures from pre-industrial levels. “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.”
9.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”, Pavich said, noting that the discussions were still hypothetical and the issue was “very complex”. “Personally I think it’s a good choice, so we can separate the capital, the government areas, and business areas,” he said.
