Guest Blog by Kanyasorn Tansubhapol, Climate Change Officer, British Embassy, Bangkok
In the past, natural disasters and climate change have not been a major concern in Thailand. However, a recent series of extreme events – including severe drought, unusual rainfall, heavy flooding, and unseasonal weather patterns – have led to greater understanding of the range of potential climate change impacts. These are signs for all Thai people to wake up to the real implications of climate change.
Last year Thailand faced its worst flooding in 50 years. More than 40 provinces in the North, Northeast and Central regions were affected, with 1.4 million hectares of agricultural land devastated, and over one million tonnes of rice destroyed. The flooding caused damage to economic growth valued at around £117 million. This year Thailand experienced unseasonal weather patterns in March – which is normally one of the hottest months of the year. The normal temperature of 30-34 degree Celsius dropped to 15-16 degrees. In late March, there were also heavy rains, and floodwaters up to waist level in the South. This has never happened before in some areas, such as Samui Island in Surat Thani province. The Meteorological Department has now warned that extreme weather patterns are likely to occur more frequently in Thailand as result of climate change.
The extreme weather events in Thailand are in line with the conclusions of the Asian Development Bank’s 2009 Report on the Economics of Climate Change in Southeast Asia. The report provided strong evidence that Thailand is one of the most vulnerable countries in the region, and that natural disasters and climate change are significantly linked. Problems with coastal and land erosion are also expected in many parts of the region. This is particularly true at the world-famous Pattaya Beach which is now in danger of disappearing due to erosion.
As climate change officer at the British Embassy in Bangkok, I think that the UK government’s engagement in Thailand since 2009 has contributed to greater awareness of climate change issues amongst the Thai population and policy-makers. Take, for example, a Green Growth Policy seminar to help Thailand to shift to a low carbon development path; the launch of a report on the investment opportunities in energy efficiency for Thailand and SE Asia; and a visit by a UK delegation to present the UK Climate Change Act to Thai policy-makers in March.
It is evident why Thai people are growing more concerned about the real implications of climate change. As an agriculturally-based nation, Thailand seriously needs to tackle climate change before it wreaks further havoc on national social and economic development. It is much easier to blame natural disasters (as a result of climate change impacts) than to take preventive action. Yet, the demand for adaptation and mitigation is now not limited to specific organisations, but is coming from many individuals, government agencies and businesses. Like many Southeast Asian countries, Thailand realises it has to tackle this issue. As Lord Stern stated in his groundbreaking review on the Economics of Climate Change, the costs of inaction far outweigh the costs of action.