วิกานดา สุภาสนันท์. The Numerical Primitive Equation Oceanic Model Study of the Gulf of Thailand Circulation. Master's Degree(Applied Mathematics). King Mongkut's University of Technology Thonburi. : King Mongkut's University of Technology Thonburi, 2006.
The Numerical Primitive Equation Oceanic Model Study of the Gulf of Thailand Circulation
Abstract:
In this research, a numerical ocean model developed from the Institute of Atmospheric Physics Regional Oceanic General Circulation Model
(IAP ROCM) has been implemented for studying sea current circulation in the Gulf of Thailand (GOT). The model is 3-dimension with rectangular
coordinates. The numerical method used to solve the model equations is a finite difference method. Closed boundary conditions are applied at the
eastern and southern parts of the study area in the GOT. The study domain covers the GOT between latitudes 5.5 14.5 ?E and longitudes
99.0 105.5 ?W. The required initial data for the model are wind speed, temperature, and salinity on the 0.5? latitude-longitude grid resolution.
Current circulations at the sea surface for every month are studied. The circulations for all model layers are studied for June. The results show
that the flow directions in the layers are similar. In addition, the temperature and salinity show small changes between the layers. Thus, the sea
surface circulation for each month can be used as a representative for the other layers. It can be concluded from the results that during the
southwest monsoon period the current flows into the Gulf at the western coast, circulates in the clockwise direction, and then flows out of the
Gulf at the eastern coast. During the northeast monsoon period, the current enters the Gulf at the eastern coast, circulates in counterclockwise
direction, and then flows out at the southern part of the Gulf. But in the monsoon transition periods in April and October, it is found that the
characteristic of the current circulation shows uncertainty in flow direction and the current is weakening.