Department devising plan to limit land loss due to coastal erosion

Department devising plan to limit land loss due to coastal erosion.

ENVIRONMENT / SAVING THAILAND'S SHORELINES

The Marine and Coastal Resources Department is devising a plan to limit land loss due to erosion at 30 locations along Thailand's coastlines, the department said yesterday. The department announced its plan after His Majesty the King expressed concern over coastal erosion.

Experts say erosion has become more ferocious due to inappropriate development along the country's beaches and changing wind patterns due to global climate change.

The department identified the problem locations after surveying the coastline from Trat to Narathiwat, which faces the Gulf of Thailand, and from Ranong to Satun along the opposite Andaman coast.

''We will first focus on three areas in Bangkok, Samut Prakan, and Chachoengsao,'' said the department's coastal area management section chief Surapol Krishnamra. Mr Surapol said the department had already set a budget of 41 million baht to solve the problem in the three provinces.

Bangkok has reported a loss of more than one square kilometre of land along five kilometres of shoreline in Bang Khunthian district alone.

Land loss was also found in Pak Phanang district in Nakhon Si Thammarat, Ban Pod and Ban Pak Khlong Kram villages in Surat Thani, Ban Ta Lo Sami Lae village in Pattani, and Ban Ba Ke village in Narathiwat.

Mr Surapol said the cause of land loss in each location varied.

Each area required a different solution, he said.

The northeastern monsoon, which intensifies coastal erosion during this period each year, continued to hit southern provinces yesterday.

Strong winds prompted local authorities in Songkhla province to place piles of sandbags at the foot of pine trees on Samila beach, to prevent them from falling down.

Authorities also put up warning signs urging tourists to be extra careful when strolling along the beach.

Strong winds also damaged 11 houses in tambon Ban Kuan in Muang district in Satun.

And off Phuket island in the Andaman sea, marine police rushed to help a Dutch tourist after rough seas damaged his boat's engine near Ko Yao islet.

The Meteorology Department said that due to the monsoon brought by cold weather from China, waves as high as four metres are being reported in the Gulf of Thailand.

All small fishing boats in the area are being instructed not to go out to sea.

Bangkok Post
Thursday January 11, 2007