Sirikiatikul, Pinai; (2007) Remaking modern Bangkok: Urban renewal on Rajadamnern Boulevard, 1932-1957. Masters thesis (M.Phil), University of London.

Text Sirikiatikul_ID_thesis_redacted.pdf Download (23MB)

Abstract

The research question is about ways in which architecture and urban space are used as a vehicle for social and cultural agendas how social, cultural as well as political identity can be translated into spaces and built forms. Unlike other Southeast Asian countries, Thailand was never a colony and therefore Thailand's assimilation of Western culture cannot be satisfactorily interpreted through post colonial discourse, although this has been used productively elsewhere. The study is of Bangkok between 1932, when the monarchy was overthrown, and 1957, when the monarchy was restored. The main features of this period were the establishment of a new constitution, the emergence of the People's Party, and the events of World War II and its aftermath. The progressive nationalist policies of the People's Party extended into many aspects of cultural and social life, including the city's development, and in particular, urban renewal on Rajadamnern Boulevard in the centre of old Bangkok. The thesis examines the transformation of urban space and architecture on Rajadamnern Boulevard between 1932 and 1957. The focus is on the ways in which the new state inserted its identity, ideology and propaganda into the city by remaking its fabric. The thesis investigates how the new state used urban space as a stage set to establish and display collective identity, as well as the ways in which pre-existing urban forms were given new narratives. The aim is to show how Rajadamnern Boulevard, whose physical appearance and use changed over time, reconstituted meanings in the city during a period of political change. The research draws upon archival sources: documentary evidence from state papers, ordnance maps, and unpublished documents at the Crown Property Bureau (Bangkok), and upon first-hand analysis of urban space and architecture. The findings will revise existing histories of architecture in post-1932 Thailand.

Download activity - last month

Export as XMLJSONCSV

Download activity - last 12 months

Export as XMLJSONCSV

Downloads by country - last 12 months

Export as CSVJSONXML

Archive Staff Only

View Item