Global Dimming Situation in the Central Region of Thailand

Abstract

A declined trend of surface solar radiation (SSR), the so call Global Warming, has as wide impact to human as global warming. However, there are lacked of empirical evidences about global dimming in the region of Southeast Asia. This study aims to establish knowledge and to understand patterns of global dimming in the central region of Thailand. The method of research began with data collection, which is composed of statistic data acquired from climatological measured stations. The trend of yearly average surface solar radiation was monitored in two periods; before and after 1990 periods. The results showed that the average annual solar radiation intensity trend in Central of Thailand, during the year before 1990 from the average daily radiation estimation model have not change significantly, except rainy season. However, the annual average solar radiation intensity during the later year 1990 showed a significant decrease in the level of 0.05. The tendency of solar radiation intensity has highly changed in the winter. This result was indicated that the central region of Thailand has been entering into the period of global dimming. In order to cope with this situation, it needs policy recommendation in terms of land use control, green area increasing, and transportation management.