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Thai Villages Submerged as Flood Defenses Aid Cities
15 Oct
Summary
- Flood defenses protect Thai cities, leaving villages submerged.
- Climate change exacerbates Thailand's annual monsoon flooding.
- Residents raise homes as a costly adaptation to recurring floods.
In Thailand, flood defenses designed to protect urban economic centers are leaving downstream villages submerged, a situation exacerbated by climate change. Kamonchanok Sathaphonamonwut's family in Ayutthaya province, for instance, has experienced six consecutive years of flooding, forcing them to live on elevated platforms and forgo using their waterlogged toilets.
Following the devastating 2011 floods, Thailand enhanced infrastructure to shield Bangkok and industrial zones. This has largely succeeded in protecting commercial areas but has intensified flooding in lower-lying communities. Residents now face floods that rise above their heads and take months to recede, leading many to invest significantly in raising their homes.
The cost of elevating a house can range from 100,000 to one million baht (approximately €2,700-€27,000). Some families have undertaken this twice in a few years, depleting savings and incurring debt. Environmentalist Sasin Chalermlarp has proposed a "flood-free tax" on beneficiaries of flood defenses to aid affected families.
Authorities acknowledge the need to review infrastructure to manage water levels better. A €700-million flood diversion canal is projected for completion by 2030, aiming to alleviate pressure on areas like Ayutthaya. Until then, affected communities seek basic comfort and financial support, emphasizing their desire for a dignified life in their homes.
