High tide in North Pattaya. Researchers say
that if something isn’t done soon, all the sand will be washed out to
sea.
Pratchaya Kerdthong
The clock continues to tick on Pattaya Beach’s
erosion problem and, at the latest in a series of meetings, researchers
who predicted the beach would disappear within five years urged the city
to finally get moving on plans to save it.
Chulalongkorn University researcher Thanawat
Jarupongsakul again proposed the city approve one of four restoration
projects to reverse erosion that is sweeping 10,000 cu. meters of sand
out to sea each year. Parts of Pattaya Beach are now just five meters
wide (at high tide) and, he said, unless action is taken soon, the sand
would entirely disappear.
Pattaya can either build a breakwater, dredge sand
and refill the beach, add sand underwater at the north and sound ends of
the beach to alter currents or dump sand offshore to lessen the impact
of waves, he said.
Thanawat said his research has already done a
thorough study on oceanic and land geography, environmental impact,
meteorological and shore structure, economical possibilities. The next
step will be a public hearing, he concluded.
City officials have been debating how to remedy the erosion problems
for months, but have done little more to this point other than debate
the feasibility, funding and legality of the beach restoration.
