Recent global studies indicate the presence of sea level acceleration.
From the reconstructed global sea level of the period 1870–2004,
Church and White (2006) show that the 20th century acceleration of
sea level rise is 0.013 mm/yr2. Acceleration of about the same rate that
appears to have started at the end of the 18th century is derived in
Jevrejeva et al. (2008). However, in our study the 17-year rates of sea
level rise from altimetry are larger than multi-decadal tide gauge rates
at Ko Sichang and Ko Lak but smaller at Sattahip and Ko Mattaphon.
The small differences between the altimetry-based and tide gauge
rates can be explained by interannual variations like ENSO and
decadal variations due to solar activity and lunar nutation. Nevertheless,
the differences are not statistically significant which implies the
fast rising rates in the Gulf of Thailand remain largely constant for the
last 50–60 years and no acceleration could be detected. Given no
conclusive evidence of sea level acceleration in this region, special
precaution should be taken in projecting future sea level and impact
assessments of sea level rise as in low-lying coastal areas much
different flood scenarios could result depending on whether the
acceleration is factored in.