Thailand’s village of Samut Chin: Turning the tide

The Thai village of Samut Chin is drowning in an invading sea, with little stopping the advancing destruction....read more

The local village shop acts as a meeting area for Ban Khun Samut Chin village community © Jack Picone

The local village shop acts as a meeting area for Ban Khun Samut Chin village community © Jack Picone

Bamboo breakwaters that were built several years ago to ‘break’ the power of the surf and protect Ban Khun Samut Chin village have only been partially successful. Submerged trees and mangrove saplings that have drowned in the advancing seawater are clearly visible. © Jack Picone

Submerged telegraph poles tapering off into the distance. These poles act as visual markers for where Ban Khun Samut Chin village was located before it was claimed by the sea.  © Jack Picone

Fishing and shrimp farming are the mainstays and principal sources of activity and income for Khun Samut Chin village. Even small rises in sea level throws out the delicate environmental balance of shrimp farming.  © Jack Picone

 Fishermen motor out to sea past the breakwaters that were built several years ago in an effort to “break” the power of the surf and protect Ban Khun Samut Chin village © Jack Picone

Three of the five monks remaining at Samut Trawat temple suspend Thai flags to poles along the entrance walkway.  © Jack Picone

The principal Buddha statue at Wat Khun Samut Trawat faces the advancing sea.  © Jack Picone

At twilight, a resident Monk from Wat Khun Samut Trawat gazes out to sea and says, “That is where our village once was”.  © Jack Picone

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