“Standing on the Shoulders of Giants”: BMA Partners with the Netherlands to Revolutionize Water Management and Urban Resilience
From February 10 to 12, 2026, Mr. Chadchart Sittipunt, Governor of Bangkok, led a high-level delegation to the Netherlands to strengthen cooperation in water management and urban development. Invited by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Thailand, the visit focused on adopting world-class expertise to address the environmental challenges facing Bangkok. Embracing the philosophy of “standing on the shoulders of giants,” the Governor underscored that learning from Dutch success will furnish the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) with a clearer vision and a more robust foundation for sustainable disaster prevention.
During the visit, the delegation participated in the “Thailand-Netherlands Knowledge Week,” where they explored the “Rainproof” urban planning concept. This approach shifts focus from traditional “grey” infrastructure to “Green-Blue” infrastructure, prioritizing natural water retention. A key highlight was Amsterdam’s new building regulations, which mandate that structures must be capable of retaining water for at least 60 hours. Furthermore, the BMA discussed the “Water as Leverage” (WaL) initiative, which aims to transform Bangkok’s canals into multi-purpose spaces that serve social and environmental functions beyond mere drainage or transportation.
Regarding plastic waste management, the delegation met with Mr. Boyan Slat, CEO and founder of the global non-profit The Ocean Cleanup. They reviewed the impressive performance of the solar-powered “Interceptor 019” in the Chao Phraya River, which has successfully intercepted over 277 tons of plastic waste since 2024. Looking ahead, both parties plan to enhance waste collection efficiency through advanced technology and are exploring the installation of interceptor devices in Bangkok’s main canals. This “upstream” strategy aims to trap plastic waste before it reaches the river or the ocean.
The delegation also engaged with officials in Rotterdam to study the “Urban Resilience” strategy, featuring innovative floating farms and multifunctional water-retention plazas. Governor Chadchart shared the BMA’s own “capillary” management approach, highlighting the success of the Traffy Fondue platform in addressing city-wide issues, which parallels Rotterdam’s “MeldR” application. Additionally, the team conducted a deep dive into the Maeslant Barrier to study large-scale storm surge management and saltwater intrusion control, a critical issue for Bangkok, which is situated only 0.5 to 1 meter above sea level.
This strategic visit marks a significant milestone in building an international network to accelerate Bangkok’s development while minimizing trial and error. By integrating proven Dutch innovations with local contexts, the BMA aims to establish a resilient urban framework. This ongoing collaboration with Dutch partners will ensure that Bangkok can proactively adapt to climate change, ultimately securing a safer and more sustainable future for all its residents.
From February 10 to 12, 2026, Mr. Chadchart Sittipunt, Governor of Bangkok, led a high-level delegation to the Netherlands to strengthen cooperation in water management and urban development. Invited by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Thailand, the visit focused on adopting world-class expertise to address the environmental challenges facing Bangkok. Embracing the philosophy of “standing on the shoulders of giants,” the Governor underscored that learning from Dutch success will furnish the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) with a clearer vision and a more robust foundation for sustainable disaster prevention.
“Standing on the Shoulders of Giants”: BMA Partners with the Netherlands to Revolutionize Water Management and Urban Resilience
