Thailand: TRF Discusses Coastal Erosion Problems

TRF Discusses Coastal Erosion Problems

The Thailand Research Fund (TRF) in cooperation with Songkhla province has held a meeting to discuss solutions to solving coastal erosion problems.

Dr.Silaporn Buasai, Deputy Chief of the TRF, stated that the purpose of the meeting was for the TRF to present solutions gathered from researches on coastal erosion problem solving, especially in Songklha province, so that related sectors may implement the solution models to solve the problem.

Coastal erosion is currently a major problem especially for communities living on the coast, as it damages building structures, property, and soil; it also has impacts on the environment, which then affects the community’s economy. Coastal erosion is caused by wind forces and sea levels and is currently becoming worse due to human interference with mangroves and sea directions, the deterioration of coral reef, ground subsidence and global warming.

Statistics show that from 1952-2008, Songkhla has coastal erosion problems in 28 sub-districts, in 6 districts. Reportedly, 13.43 km of the province’s coastline faces severe shore erosion, 41.09 km faces moderate erosion problem, and 54.52 km is slightly eroded by waves. Songkhla is the province with the fourth highest proportion of eroding shoreline, following Nakhon Si Thammarat, Prachuap khiri khan, and Pattani.

[mappress]

Press Release, September 30, 2013