Seven decades of shoreline changes along a muddy mangrove coastline of the Upper Gulf of Thailand

This study evaluates the historical coastal change and development along the eastern coastline of the Upper Gulf of Thailand between 1953 and 2019 based on a series of aerial photographs and satellite images. Long-term (similar to 70 years) and short-term (similar to 10 years) shoreline movement rates were analysed using the Digital Shoreline Analysis System (DSAS). Results of this analysis indicate that the shoreline along the western coast (WBK) of the Bang Pakong River mouth has undergone severe coastal degradation, with a land loss of about 980 ha over the last seven decades. Meanwhile, the eastern coastline (EBK) has developed continuously over this time span, resulting in a land growth of about 552 ha. Based on historical shorelines recorded since 1954, the shoreline recession along the WBK coast accelerated over five decades. The average shoreline change rate reached approximately -9 m/year in 2002 and is shown to be related to land subsidence, which was due to groundwater withdrawals. The WBK coastline stabilized in 2009 and became an accretionary coast after 2016 due to the introduction of engineered coastal protection measures. In addition, the construction of major dams on the Chao Phraya and Bang Pakong rivers did not result in severe shoreline recession along the WBK coast. A significant reduction in sediment supply to the coastal zone due to damming was not observed. In contrast, the EBK coastline has advanced continuously since 1953, with average growth rates between 0.5 and 7.6 m/year over 50 years as a result of increased riverine sediment supply. Our results also indicate that mangrove deforestation was not a major factor causing shoreline retreat, and mangrove reforestation was not a successful coastal protection approach in this coast.

Automated summary

This study evaluates the historical coastal change and development along the eastern coastline of the Upper Gulf of Thailand between 1953 and 2019. The analysis shows that the western coast has experienced severe degradation, while the eastern coastline has continuously developed. The construction of major dams did not result in significant shoreline recession, and increased riverine sediment supply played a key role in coastal growth.