Rising Sea
By Chris Jung
Climate scientists warn that Earth will face many changes from climate change and global warming. They also explain melting icebergs caused by climate change and global warming resulted rising sea levels.
Ban Khun Samut Chin is a small village located 40KM away from South of Bangkok, capital of Thailand and faced Gulf of Thailand. Approximately 100 people are living in the village. The village chief, Samorn Khengsamut (61) says that every year sea level is significantly rising impacted of climate change and global warming. This village is famous for an isolated temple, Wat Khun Samut Chin. The temple was once in a town however with rising sea levels now located in middle of sea.
As sea levels rising, people moved inland deeper and carry their life continue. People are worried and anxious to observe constant rising sea levels. Although they loss their properties and assets, they cannot leave hometown. As they born in the village and their life is there. The village choose to conserve hometown and create awareness to outside of village.
Thailand government are doing general researches on the village unfortunately yet resolution is found. It seems many Thai people does not aware of this issue.
Rising Sea
Rising Sea ©Chris JungInside view of a temple, Wat Khun Samut Chin with visible water damage. The temple was once the center of village life, but now it stands alone on the sea like an island.
Rising Sea ©Chris JungA villager Latti (66) on a longboat is heading to Ban Khun Samut Chin village where the temple, Wat Khun Samut Chin is located.
Rising Sea ©Chris JungA small house broken by sea level rise. The area around the house is now turned into a shrimp farm.
Rising Sea ©Chris JungA big banner exhibits how much sea has been risen over the last 44 years. The red square marks the site of the temple, Wat Khun Samut Chin. The picture on the left was taken in 1974, when the temple was still surrounded by land, the middle one is from 1991 and the right one taken in 2004.
Rising Sea ©Chris JungThe Temple, Wat Khun Samut Chin is partially submerged into water and damaged from rising sea levels.
Rising Sea ©Chris JungOld electric poles that used to mark the main road and village, now half under the water.
Rising Sea ©Chris JungTrace of houses where was once a village.
Rising Sea ©Chris JungAbandoned house in the village. The rise of sea level has brought water and mud to inside of the house. People moved inland deeper or left the village.
Rising Sea ©Chris JungView of the Ban Khun Samut Chin village. Houses moved further inland from sea level rise.The ponds around the village are used as seafood farms and road for boats.
Rising Sea ©Chris JungThe village chief, Samorn Khengsamut (61). She is trying to know the issue of sea level rise outside.
Rising Sea ©Chris JungSome of the villagers are taking a break. Most of them are engaged in fishery, and some are running homestay.
Rising Sea ©Chris JungA dog is stretching in front of the house. Most of the houses are simple wooden built with bamboo and palm tree leaves. It is easy to rebuild from natural disasters.
Rising Sea ©Chris JungVillage boys are dancing while watching a YouTube video on a smartphone.
Rising Sea ©Chris JungA villager receives delivery of the ingredients ordered the day before. Merchants deliver direct delivery for residents who are uncomfortable with some movements.
Rising Sea ©Chris JungA villager trims fishes for breakfast.
Rising Sea ©Chris JungLek (50) who runs a homestay in the village is preparing a breakfast.
Rising Sea ©Chris JungBreakfast of villagers. Their main daily meals are rice, seafood, and spicy fried meats.
Rising Sea ©Chris JungVillagers are buying food and vegetables from a visit sales. There is no field around the village for farming thus all the vegetables are purchased from outside.
Rising Sea ©Chris JungThe villager is carrying dried fish in a wooden basket. Dried fish are sold a little more expensive than raw fish.
Rising Sea ©Chris JungThere is only one school in the village. The school has 19 students and 2 teachers. As sea level rises, ground is getting weakened and a concrete bridge is damaged.
Rising Sea ©Chris JungInside the classroom, there are small number of students and lack of teachers. First to third grade classes are held in one classroom.
Rising Sea ©Chris JungA villager drives a boat which is an essential transportation in the village.
Rising Sea ©Chris JungA village young man starts a boat engine. A long iron pole mounted with a small screw is designed for low level water.
Rising Sea ©Chris JungVillagers are dropping nets for fishing. Fishing is the main income for the village.
Rising Sea ©Chris JungVillagers are returning to the village after grocery shopping. The boat fare is about 100 baht(3 USD) for round trip.
Rising Sea ©Chris JungThe village chief, Samorn Khengsamut (61) is explaining how rising sea levels threat their village to 27 of Roong Aroon High School students from Bangkok. She is trying to know the issue of sea level rise outside.
Rising Sea ©Chris JungEarly morning.
Rising Sea ©Chris JungEarly morning, sea view when high tide. 80% sunken sea barriers were placed in several years ago to protect the village. The old electric and telephone poles far standing in the water which used to mark village.
Rising Sea ©Chris JungHeavy sea barriers were placed in March 2015 supported by Japanese Mitsubishi Corporation to protect the village.
Rising Sea ©Chris JungChu Chao(75) was born in this village. With sea level rising, he moved to inland five times and lost all property he own. Since 13 years ago he started planting mangroves around the village and believes that mangroves will protect the village and land.
Rising Sea ©Chris JungChu Chao(75) is distributing mangrove seedlings to Roong Aroon High School students from Bangkok. He grows mangrove seedlings and supplies to those who need.
Rising Sea ©Chris JungVillagers demonstrate how to plant mangrove seedlings to students.
Rising Sea ©Chris JungRoong Aroon High School students plant mangrove seedlings on the sea.
Rising Sea ©Chris JungThe mangrove surrounding the village. The villagers are trying to plant more mangroves to make lush forests.
Rising Sea ©Chris JungThe children return to school after the outdoor class. The villagers know that the sea level rising can not be stopped, but they are trying to keep the village as far as they can.
