Why is Ban Khun Samut Chin facing severe coastal erosion?

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Ban Khun Samut Chin is experiencing severe coastal erosion due to a combination of rising sea levels driven by climate change and local environmental mismanagement.

The coastal village of Ban Khun Samut Chin is being steadily eroded by the sea, having lost two kilometres of land over the past six decades. This phenomenon is a stark illustration of the broader impacts of climate change, which is causing global sea levels to rise at an accelerating rate. Experts warn that without significant mitigation, oceans could rise by nearly an additional metre around Pacific and Indian Ocean islands by the end of this century, a prospect that poses considerable risk to low-lying coastal communities. Thailand, with an estimated 17% of its population residing along its extensive coastline, is particularly vulnerable to these environmental shifts.
Climate Change and Rising Sea Levels

Global warming is a primary driver of the escalating sea-level rise that threatens Ban Khun Samut Chin. As glaciers and ice sheets melt, the volume of water in the oceans increases, leading to higher sea levels. United Nations climate experts have documented a rise of 15 to 25 centimetres since 1900, with evidence suggesting this rate is increasing. If current warming trends persist, the potential for an additional metre of sea-level rise by 2100 presents a significant long-term threat to coastal regions worldwide, including those in the Pacific and Indian Oceans.
Local Environmental Factors Exacerbating Erosion

Beyond the global impact of climate change, specific local factors have significantly worsened the erosion problem in Ban Khun Samut Chin. Over-exploitation of groundwater has contributed to land subsidence, making the area more susceptible to inundation. Furthermore, the destruction of natural mangrove forests, which historically served as a crucial buffer against wave action, has left the coastline exposed. These mangroves were cleared to make way for prawn farms, removing a vital natural defence.
Altered Sediment Deposition and Human Intervention

Changes in river systems have also played a role in the village's vulnerability. The construction of dams upstream on the Chao Phraya River has reduced the natural flow of sediment downstream towards the bay. This diminished sediment deposition means less natural material is available to replenish the coastline, thereby exacerbating erosion. The cumulative effect of these local interventions, combined with the intensifying storm surges amplified by climate change, has created a critical situation for the village.
Mitigation Efforts and Long-Term Outlook

In response to the escalating erosion, the village, in collaboration with a research project from Chulalongkorn University, has implemented measures such as the installation of bamboo and concrete pillars and the replanting of mangroves. These efforts aim to create a physical barrier and restore natural defences against the encroaching sea. However, the village head, Wisanu Kengsamut, has expressed concerns that these interventions may ultimately prove insufficient against the powerful forces of nature and the ongoing effects of climate change, suggesting a challenging long-term outlook for Ban Khun Samut Chin.

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Why is Ban Khun Samut Chin facing severe coastal erosion?

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