SI-017-07:
Coastal Protection &
Sea-Level Rise Adaptation Strategy

Situation

Thailand’s coastal zones—especially along the Gulf of Thailand—are increasingly vulnerable to:

• Sea-level rise (gradual but irreversible)

• Coastal erosion

• Storm surges and extreme weather events

• Saltwater intrusion affecting agriculture and freshwater systems

Critical risk areas include:

• Bangkok metropolitan coastline

• Samut Prakan, Samut Sakhon, Samut Songkhram

• Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC)

• Southern coastal provinces

These areas are not just environmental zones—
👉 they are economic engines, population centers, and strategic infrastructure hubs

Now imagine:

Sea level rises gradually →
Coastal erosion accelerates →
Flooding becomes more frequent →
Saltwater contaminates farmland →
Communities and industries are displaced

This is not a sudden disaster.
👉 It is a slow, continuous loss

Thailand today is:

👉 aware of the risk — but not yet structurally prepared for long-term transformation

Shift

Globally, coastal management is shifting from:

👉 “Defensive protection”
→ to
👉 “Adaptive coastal system design”

Three key transformations:

1. From Hard Barriers Only → Hybrid Coastal Systems

Traditional:

• Seawalls

• Barriers

Future:

• Mangroves

• Sediment systems

• Nature-based solutions

• engineered defenses

2. From Static Coastlines → Dynamic Coastal Zones

Accepting that:
👉 Coastlines will change

Focus shifts to:

• Managing transition

• Guiding land use

• Protecting critical zones

3. From Protection → Strategic Retreat & Redesign

In some areas:

• Defend
  In others:

• Adapt
  In some:

• Relocate

Now imagine:

Instead of fighting the sea blindly →
Thailand designs its coastline as a system:

• Some zones fortified

• Some zones absorb energy

• Some zones transition gradually

That is:
👉 Strategic coastal adaptation

Advantage

Thailand has strong potential to implement a world-class coastal adaptation strategy.

1. Extensive Natural Coastal Ecosystems

Thailand has:

• Mangrove forests

• Wetlands

These can act as:
👉 natural defense systems

2. Existing Coastal Communities & Knowledge

Local communities understand:

• Tides

• Coastal patterns

This provides:
👉 a base for adaptive strategies

3. Economic Justification

High-value zones (EEC, Bangkok perimeter) justify:
👉 large-scale investment in protection

4. Integration with Water System (SI-017-01)

Coastal protection can link with:
👉 national water flow management

Additional Structural Advantage

Thailand can design a National Coastal Resilience System (NCRS).

1. Zonal Coastal Strategy Framework

Divide coastline into 3 types:

Zone A: Critical Protection Zones

• Bangkok perimeter

• Industrial zones

→ Heavy engineered defenses
(sea walls, surge barriers)

Zone B: Hybrid Adaptation Zones

• Mixed urban-rural areas

→ Combination of:

• Natural buffers

• Engineered systems

Zone C: Managed Transition Zones

• Low-density or high-risk areas

→ Gradual relocation / land-use change

2. Nature-Based Coastal Defense System

• Mangrove restoration

• Coastal wetland expansion

• Sediment management

These systems:
👉 absorb wave energy naturally

3. Coastal Barrier & Surge Protection Infrastructure

• Sea barriers

• Tidal gates

• Flood protection systems

Especially for:
👉 high-value economic zones

4. Saltwater Intrusion Management System

• Freshwater buffer zones

• Smart irrigation systems

• Groundwater management

Protecting:
👉 agriculture and water supply

5. Coastal Smart Monitoring System

• Sea level sensors

• Erosion tracking

• Storm surge prediction

Integrated with:
👉 SI-017-05 (data system)

6. Long-Term Coastal Urban Planning

• Restrict development in high-risk zones

• Design floating / adaptive structures

• Elevate critical infrastructure

Implication

If Thailand does not act:

• Coastal land loss will accelerate

• Economic zones will face increasing disruption

• Communities will be displaced

• Long-term national cost will be extremely high

But if Thailand succeeds:

Imagine this:

Thailand becomes a country where:

• Coastlines are actively managed

• Economic zones are protected

• Natural systems enhance resilience

• Communities adapt smoothly over time

Thailand becomes:

👉 “A Coastal-Resilient Nation”

That coexists with rising seas—
instead of being threatened by them.

Action Layer