| Abstract: |
This chapter first summarises data on the climatic history of South Thailand in the past 1,500 years, covering events that have influenced hemispherical climate, including South and Southeast Asia, with particular attention to localised impacts. With the con-text of past climate change thus established, the structure and operation of the ancient irrigation works of the Satingpra Peninsula, South Thailand are discussed in the specific environment of the Kra Isthmus and ecotone. The long history of expansion and contraction of the ancient irrigation system of the Satingpra area, 6th to 14th century, provides our only record of the ancient farmersÂ’ efforts to cope with climate change in the past. In conclusion I present the results of the current programme to restore parts of this system and the impact it again has on modern farmers in the area.
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