Thailand may have to relocate its capital Bangkok

According to Mr. Pavich, many forecasts show that the capital Bangkok is located in a low-lying area, at risk of being submerged by sea level before the end of this century. Most areas of this bustling city also have to deal with flooding during the rainy season.

Bangkok is unlikely to adapt to the current global warming trend, the deputy director general of the Department of Climate Change and Environment has warned. He said the world has already exceeded 1.5 degrees Celsius in temperature since pre-industrial times and if the current trend continues, Bangkok could be submerged by seawater. Therefore, now is the time to think about adaptation.

Mr Pavich said the Bangkok city government was studying measures including building dykes, as used in the Netherlands. In addition, the government was also considering the option of relocating the entire capital, but this was a "very complicated" issue and the discussions were still hypothetical.

While the move is still a long way off, it is not unprecedented in Southeast Asia. Indonesia plans to inaugurate a new capital city, Nusantara, in 2024, replacing Jakarta, which is plagued by pollution and seawater intrusion. The move has been controversial, and the cost is estimated at between $32 billion and $35 billion.

Thailand is feeling the effects of climate change in many areas, with farmers struggling with heatwaves and drought, while tourism businesses are hit by coral bleaching and pollution. Meanwhile, government efforts have been largely ineffective.

Thailand aims to be carbon neutral by 2050.