Abstract
Developing countries in the Asian and Pacific region are anticipated to face serious impacts of climate change, because of not only their geographic settings but also the high growth of population and economy. Many countries have tried to identify the specific impacts on them without success. The major reason for this is lack of data. Thailand is a country which accumulates relatively large amount of data including GIS database. This study aims at correlating the existing coastal problems with the impacts of climate change and sea-level rise, based on review of the impact studies and new analysis using the databases developed both in Thailand and in the world. Sea-level rise and climate change would significantly exacerbate existing coastal problems, such as coastal erosion and retreat of mangrove forest. In particular, mangrove forests in Thailand is the case, for they have already been experiencing strong pressures due to land subsidence and clearing for shrimp ponds. The threats of the storm surge and flooding are another concern in the Central Plain, the Chao Phraya Delta, where Bangkok is situated.
