Assessing Coastal Vulnerability to Climate Change: A Case Study of Nakhon Si Thammarat and Krabi

Pannee Cheewinsiriwat (), Uma Langkulsen (), Vanida Lertwattanamongkol, Wanlee Poompongthai, Augustine Lambonmung, Chalermpol Chamchan, Suparee Boonmanunt, Kanchana Nakhapakorn and Cherith Moses
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Pannee Cheewinsiriwat: Center of Excellence in Geography and Geoinformatics, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
Uma Langkulsen: Faculty of Public Health, Thammasat University, Pathum Thani 12120, Thailand
Vanida Lertwattanamongkol: Center of Excellence in Geography and Geoinformatics, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
Wanlee Poompongthai: Department of Geography, Faculty of Arts, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
Augustine Lambonmung: Faculty of Public Health, Thammasat University, Pathum Thani 12120, Thailand
Chalermpol Chamchan: Institute for Population and Social Research, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom 73170, Thailand
Kanchana Nakhapakorn: Faculty of Environment and Resource Studies, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom 73170, Thailand
Cherith Moses: Department of History, Geography and Social Sciences, Edge Hill University, Ormskirk L39 4QP, UK

Social Sciences, 2024, vol. 13, issue 3, 1-17

Abstract: Climate change is increasingly impacting both environments and human communities. Coastal regions in Thailand are experiencing more severe impacts, which vary based on the unique physical and socio-economic characteristics of each area. To assess the vulnerability of coastal regions in Thailand, this study focused on two provinces, Nakhon Si Thammarat (NST) and Krabi, each representing distinct coastal environments. NST, situated on the Gulf of Thailand’s east coast, has an agriculture-based economy, while Krabi, on the Andaman Sea’s west coast, relies heavily on tourism. The study utilized a multi-criteria decision analysis approach (MCDA) and GIS to analyze the Coastal Vulnerability Index at the sub-district level. The results revealed that, although NST was more vulnerable than Krabi to socio-economic factors such as the poverty rate and the number of fishery households, Krabi was much more vulnerable in the physical environment, including wave height, tidal level, coastal erosion, and slope. However, overall, Krabi exhibited high to the highest levels of coastal vulnerability, while NST displayed moderate to high levels. These findings provide valuable insights for policymakers and government agencies, aiding in the development of strategies to mitigate vulnerability and enhance the quality of life for local residents in both provinces.

Keywords: coastal vulnerability index; GIS; multi-criteria decision analysis; Thai Coast; Krabi; Nakhon Si Thammarat (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: A B N P Y80 Z00 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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