Abstract:
In this research, the water circulation in the Upper Gulf of Thailand was studied by using 2-D models, from which the results were then compared with those from the circulation of water study models in the whole Gulf of Thailand. The models were driven by tidal forcing, river discharge, and surface wind, and were executed in series by varying forcing conditions. The circulation models showed 4 eddies aligning in the NW-SE directon under the Chao Phraya River mouth. The first eddy was clockwise. The following eddies were counterclockwise, clockwise, and counter clockwise, respectively. The SW wind signified the clockwise eddies, while the NE wind signified the counterclockwise eddies. The flow directions were in good agreement with most of the previous studies. This indicated that tidal forcing, river discharge, and wind was able to induce eddy circulation in the Upper Gulf of Thailand. The results from the study models in the whole Gulf of Thailand showed strong tidal current flowing in and out of the Upper Gulf. Since the residual circulation cannot be computed, the tidal model results cannot be compared with other studies.