Minister Urges Action Before Coral Bleaching as Super El Niño Looms

Minister Suchat stresses not waiting for coral bleaching before acting, tasks the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources to prepare for a "heatwave tsunami."

On 21 October 2026, the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources, together with the Thai Marine Science Association and the Marine Foundation, held a seminar titled "Heatwave Tsunami: Prepare Protect Preserve" to assess the impact of the 2026–2027 Super El Niño on Thailand's seas and coral reefs. The event gathered opinions from academics, government agencies, and the private sector to draft national policy proposals to prepare before the high-risk period in April–May 2027, emphasizing "don't wait for coral to bleach before taking action." Attending were Dr. Pinsak Suraswadi, Director-General of the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources; Mr. Ukkrit Sathapumin, Deputy Director-General; along with scientists, government agencies, and private sector representatives at the Erawan Room, 1st floor, Bangkok Art and Culture Centre.

Dr. Pinsak Suraswadi stated that, following the policy of Minister Suchat Chomklin, who prioritizes natural resource conservation and restoration alongside proactive management and multi-sector integration, the seminar was organized to raise awareness and exchange knowledge on the impacts of global warming and rising sea temperatures. These affect not only coral reefs and marine ecosystems but also link to aquatic resources, coastal community livelihoods, tourism, and the overall economy. Advance preparation and participation from all sectors are key mechanisms to reduce damage and effectively cope with potential changes.

Dr. Somkiat Khoowong, advisor to the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources, revealed that the Super El Niño phenomenon intensified severely from early September 2026 (RONI 2.3–3.0), similar to the 1997–1998 event. It is expected to raise Thailand's sea temperatures continuously, potentially exceeding 30.5°C from the second week of April through May 2027, while the Upper Gulf of Thailand may face prolonged heat until early June. The onset of the monsoon may be delayed by 2–4 weeks, increasing drought risk in early rainy season. The severity of impact depends not only on peak temperature but also on the duration of accumulated high sea temperatures. In 2010, Gulf of Thailand temperatures exceeded 30.5°C for 58 consecutive days, causing severe coral bleaching, while in 2024 the threshold was surpassed for 91 days, highlighting the need for systematic and timely preparedness measures.

Dr. Anan Snidvongs Na Ayutthaya, project manager, noted that El Niño impacts extend beyond marine ecosystems to settlements, agriculture, fisheries, tourism, and coastal community industries and economies. Dr. Lalita Patchim, a coral researcher at the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources, explained that coral response to heat varies by species and local environmental conditions. In 2024, Koh Samet experienced 62% coral bleaching with a 33% mortality rate, while Koh Lan saw 85% of corals not bleaching. This data underscores the importance of identifying and protecting heat-resilient coral reefs.