Factors Contributing to Formation and Existence of Community Identities in Bangkok Metropolis

Abstract

Currently, there are still many traditional communities maintaining their own identities from the past among urbanization and advances in information technology in Thailand. As the capital of Thailand, Bangkok Metropolis has been constantly changing and developing so that most of the urban lands or communities are likely to be converted, created, or support future economic development. On the contrary, there are still some communities within Bangkok creating and nurturing their identities amidst rapid development. Although there are many studies on community identity, there is still a lack of comparative study of the underlying factors that create and maintain the communities’ identities. This research aimed to analyze factors affecting to formation and existence of community identity through a comparison of three types of case study communities: residential community, riverside cultural community, and economic community. There are three old case study communities located in Bangkok from the past until now where are: Sam Phraeng community, Phra Nakhon district; Talat Noi community, Samphanthawong district; and Soi Prachanaruemit community (Wood Street), Bang Sue District. We studied the areas’ information, history, and present policies from secondary data and interviews. We also collected physical data from surveys, and observations, including investigated socio-economic, and opinions from interviews. The results showed that the formation of community identity occurred from important tangible elements such as architectural features, and landscape symbols, and intangible elements such as wisdom, cultural activities, economic, spirit, collective feelings, and memories of people within the community. To existence their own identities, appropriate management was required in each context as well as organizing various activities that could drive and develop communities to create economic value through tourism. Publicizing local wisdom, history, and culture as well as distribution of local products and services could create income within the community. The appropriate methods could conserve traditional communities as well as maintain the community's identity amidst the continuous development of the large metropolis of Thailand. To sum up, existing tangible and intangible elements with appropriate management, activities, and public relations including the distribution of local products and services affected the existence of community identities.