KHLONG: BANGKOK CANALS REVITALIZATION By Miss Dolruthai Jiarakul A Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Philosophy Program in Architectural Heritage Management and Tourism International Program Graduate School, Silpakorn University Academic Year 2015 Copyright of Graduate School, Silpakorn University KHLONG: BANGKOK CANALS REVITALIZATION By Miss Dolruthai Jiarakul A Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Philosophy Program in Architectural Heritage Management and Tourism International Program Graduate School, Silpakorn University Academic Year 2015 Copyright of Graduate School, Silpakorn University The Graduate School, Silpakorn University has approved and accredited the Thesis title of “Khlong: Bangkok Canals Revitalization” submitted by Ms.Dolruthai Jiarakul as a partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Architectural Heritage Management and Tourism (International Program) ............................................................................ (Associate Professor Panjai Tantatsanawong, Ph.D.) Dean of Graduate School ........../..................../.......... The Thesis Advisor Professor William Chapman, Ph.D. The Thesis Examaination Committee .................................................... Chairman (Kreangkrai Kirdsiri, Ph.D.) ............/......................../.............. .................................................... Member (Professor Emeritus Ornsiri Panin) ............/......................../.............. .................................................... Member (Professor William Chapman, Ph.D.) ............/......................../.............. 53056952 : MAJOR : ARCHITECTURAL HERITAGE MANAGEMENT AND TOURISM KEY WORD : KHLONG / CANALS / WATERWAYS / RESTORATION / DEVELOPMENT DOLRUTHAI JIARAKUL: KHLONG: BANGKOK CANALS REVITALIZA- TION. THESIS ADVISOR : PROFESSOR WILLIAM CHAPMAN, Ph.D. 190 pp. The study is aimed to argue that khlong in Bangkok that lie across the city is still a valuable asset. It can be brought back to life. Bangkok is similar to many cities around the world that is water bourn. Canals are called khlong in Thai even though the definition is slightly different. Khlong is very valuable to Bangkok as it is the origin of Bangkok. Without Khlong Lat Bangkok excavation during the time of Ayutthaya, Bangkok would not have been Bangkok today. But the development of Bangkok has shifted from water to land. Khlong was then been neglected, encroached, and left in bad conditions. Water in khlong is polluted. And khlong does not connect to the people as like before. Problems related to khlong are increasing and awakening problem is the flood in 2011. The flood make the people look back to khlong and seek for revitalization. Khlong revitalizations projects are initiated in many khlong and many directions. Some are successful some are not. The researcher has concluded that khlong can still be reviving in a sustainable development direction toward water- based city that suit the geological attribute of Bangkok. Program of Architectural Heritage Management and Tourism Graduate School, Silpakorn University Student's signature ........................................ Academic Year 2015 Thesis Advisor's signature ........................................ iii Acknowledgments I would like to express my gratitute to communities and staff that I have visited, learnt from, and experienced thoughout the research. I would like to show my appreciation and thanks to my advisor, Professor Dr. William Chapman for his patience, encouragement, inspiration, and advice for me to complete this research and writting. I also thanks to Professor Emeritus Trungjai Buranasomphob, the founder of this program. And also, I thank Professor Sunon Palakavong Na Ayuddhaya, the director of this program for his contribution to the program. I thank my examination committee including Dr. Kreangkrai Kirdsiri and Professor Emeritus Ornsiri Panin who sacrificed valuable time for this thesis defense. I thank Dr. Tiamsoon Sirisrisak for his advice and support on this research. I thank Dr. Polladech Theerapappisit for his advice and motivation. I thank all professors from various universities who have donated themselves to enhance my knowledge and growth. I thank Ms. Thienrat Sakasuoarerk, Aj Supot, Khun Chai, Jeab, and other university staffs who have facilitated me throughout the program. I thank my friend Dr. Mubarak Al Najem in supporting and encouraging me on completing this program. I thank all my friends who have supported me during this research. I acknowledge kind help from my friend Kanittha Suksong in arranging me interviews and Chatvadee Chaiaroondeekul in assisting me as I corrected my writings. I also acknowledge wonderful help from colleagues throughout the program particularly Rathirat Kheawmesuan, Jaroonsak Jurudhiranart, Dr. Pichet Teeranuson, Dr. Rungsima Kullapat, and Em Ungjitpisal at the final stage of my writing and accompany me on several research field trips. Mostly, I would like to thank my family: Daoroong Jiarakul, Prasiddhi Jiarakul, Akom Boonsaeng, Wasin Boonsaeng, Kanokeluck Pissathanporn, Pakpoom Jiarakul, Nathinee Jiarakul, and Chompoonuj Jiarakul for their tremendous love, encouragement and understanding they have for me throughout my life, without them I would not have finished this dissertation. iv Table of Contents Page Abstract ................................................................................................................... iii Acknowledments..................................................................................................... iv List of Tables ......................................................................................................... x List of Figures ......................................................................................................... xi Chapter 1 Introduction ................................................................................................ 1 Statement of Significance ................................................................... 1 Goals and Objectives .......................................................................... 4 Methodology ....................................................................................... 4 Scope of Study .................................................................................... 5 Definitions of Khlong ......................................................................... 5 Structure of the Study ......................................................................... 8 2 Canals and Khlong ..................................................................................... 9 History of Canals ................................................................................ 9 Ancient Canals .......................................................................... 10 Modern canals ........................................................................... 19 Impacts of Railways .................................................................. 22 History of Khlong in Thailand .......................................................... 22 Geography of Thailand ............................................................. 22 Ancestor Footsteps .................................................................... 25 Sukhothai ........................................................................... 25 Ayutthaya .......................................................................... 28 Canals and Khlong as Heritage ......................................................... 37 Information Document on Heritage Canals .............................. 37 Khlong, Part of UNESCO World Heritage ............................... 39 Conclusion ......................................................................................... 40 3 Development of Khlong in Bangkok ......................................................... 41 Early Development ............................................................................ 41 Thonburi ............................................................................................ 42 v Chapter Page Rattanakosin before the Bowring treaty (1782 – 1855) .................... 46 Reign of King Rama I ................................................................. 47 Reign of King Rama II ............................................................... 53 Reign of King Rama III .............................................................. 55 Reign of King Rama IV (before the Bowring Treaty) ................ 57 Life of the People ........................................................................ 59 Rattanakosin after the Bowring Treaty (1855 – 1868) ...................... 61 Reign of King Rama IV (after the Bowring Treaty) ................... 62 Reign of King Rama V ............................................................... 68 Reign of King Rama VI to Reign of King Rama VII ................. 76 The National Economic and Social Development Plan .............. 78 Conclusion ......................................................................................... 78 4 Current Khlong in Bangkok ....................................................................... 80 Background Information of Bangkok ............................................... 80 Location ...................................................................................... 80 Geography ..................................................................................