Scorching summer ahead: expert

"According to my reading, the searing heat will be followed by torrential rains," Smith said. "If all these things happen this year, they are indicators that Bangkok may face permanent flooding within the next 10 years."

Smith was the former chair of the National Disaster Warning Centre.

He insisted that his remarks were not intended to cause alarm among the public.

"I speak up because I want every one to make necessary preparations. Dams should be constructed at the mouth of the four main rivers in the Central region - Chao Phya, Bang Pakong, Mae Klong and Tha Chin," Smith said. "This should be a national policy".

He said the damconstruction cost would not be higher than what the government spends on each electrictrain line.

Smith believes the Earth's axial tilt may now be deviating by an angle of more than the usual 23.5 degrees.

"I think this is a reason why Thailand's winter is colder and has lasted longer than usual," he said.

However, he warned that the unusual axial tilt would mean hotter weather during the upcoming summer.

"Heat waves may claim lives in extremely hot provinces like Tak and Uttaradit," Smith said.