Pattaya beach could erode away within five years, academic warns
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2011/01 ... 47027.html
By The Nation
Published on January 24, 2011
"If we don't do something, Pattaya Beach will likely vanish within five years," said Prof Thanawat Jarupongsakul, a lecturer at Chulalongkorn University.
The latest survey found Pattaya's shore was only four or five metres deep, compared to 35.6m in 1952 and 18.7m in 2002, he told a meeting on the master plan for the development of Pattaya Beach.
The plan recommends drawing back sand that has been swept away. Up to 200,000 cubic metres would be needed.
"The refilling process will take about one year," he said.
Then the beach would be restored to a state very similar to 1952.
"This measure proved successful in Japan and Singapore," he said.
It would not hurt the environment either because the sand belonged to the beach, he said.
Researchers would need to inform locals of this choice and hear their opinions before the master plan could be implemented.
"The sand refilling will take place only after locals and authorities give approval," he said.
Pattaya City Major Ittipon Khunpleum said the erosion of Pattaya Beach was an urgent problem.
"All parties should lend a hand," he said.
Rerm Chiawkij, however, was reluctant to embrace the idea of reconstituting the beach. This 78-year-old man has rented beach chairs there for half a century and does not think there is any real problem.
"From what my eyes can see, the beach gets smaller between November and February only. But when the wind changes direction after that, the beach gets bigger again," he said.
The sand project could waste the budget for nothing, he said.
Former prime minister Anand Panyarachun, who is in his late 70s, believes efforts must be launched soon to save Pattaya Beach.
"When I came here many decades ago, Pattaya was much more beautiful than today," he said.
Montra Krachubkrachuay, a 35-year-old visitor from Bangkok, was shocked to learn that Pattaya Beach could sink beneath the waves.
"This beach is so close to the capital," he said.
