Assessment of extreme weather events along the coastal areas of Thailand
 
Atsamon Limsakul1,
Sangchan Limjirakan2,
Thavivongse Sriburi 2
1 Environmental Research
and Training Center, Technopolis Klong 5
Klong Luang Pathumthani 12120 Thailand
2 Environmental Research
Institute, Chulalongkorn University Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330 Thailand
Coastal zones
are among the most important natural resources, providing human with many
essential goods and services. The foundations of prosperity and prominence for
most of global cities lie in low-lying areas near coastlines and the mounts of
major rivers, which served as conduits for commerce and socio-economic
development. As
Thailand has an
intensive coastline for more than 2,600 km. on the Gulf of Thailand and on the Andaman Sea, enhanced
understanding how extreme rainfall events impact of a vulnerable system is of
paramount importance for country development. In this study, high-quality
daily rainfall data observed from stations located along the coasts between
1965 and 2006 were analyzed. A set of core extreme indices recommended by the WMO-CCL/CLIVAR
Expert Team for Climate Change Detection Monitoring and Indices (ETCCDMI) were calculated
by measuring different aspects of rainfall extreme characteristics such as wetness
and dryness conditions, frequency and intensity events. Results indicated
notable changes in different patterns of extreme rainfall characteristics in
each coastal side of Thailand. Along the coastal area
of the Gulf of Thailand, extreme rainfall events
were more intense daily rainfall associated with overall increases in very wet
day and heavy rainfalls. These changes towards wetter condition and increases
in magnitude and frequency of more intense rainfall events were consistent with
the prolonged strengthening of the north-east monsoon which governs the region
during October to February. While, overall decreases in total rainfall
accompanied by coherent dryness condition and reduction of heavy rainfall were along
the Andaman coastal areas.  Early findings indicated that both coastal sides
of Thailand will be exposed to increasing
risks of different extreme rainfall-driven disasters. Anticipated impacts
including increases in inland flash flood, more frequent coastal flooding,
coastal erosion and severe water shortage would introduce devastating
pressures, and intensify other existing stresses to urban, industry,
environment and socio-economic development in the coastal areas. Therefore,
vulnerability and risk assessment are needed to shed more light how to cope with
and adapt to such adverse impacts of current and future changes on those events.
 
Keywords: Extreme weather events, Coastal areas, Thailand