Role and Change of Traditional Community in Rattanakosin Island, Bangkok.

Abstract

Rattanakosin island, Bangkok is a historical area of the government, economic center, and art & culture society since the Rattanakosin period. Within the area, there is the location of the traditional community that reflects the identity of the area including the physical structure, cultural lifestyle, and economic activities as a consequence of urban development. This affected the change of the traditional community and caused the existence of each social group. This research aimed to study the development and historical background of Rattanakosin Island that led to the understanding of roles and changes of the traditional community within Rattanakosin Island from 1782 to 2022. This research was studied through the collection of secondary data (literature and document reviews) and primary data (field survey). The results of the research found that the development and history of Rattanakosin Island in each period consisted of elements that affected the roles and changes of different traditional communities depending on physical characteristics, cultural society, and economic activities which could be divided into 3 important periods as follows. (1) the early Rattanakosin period: it was the foundation of the country. this period made a major role in the community as a commercial port and a secondary role as a residential area. (2) the middle of the Rattanakosin period: it was a period of prosperity of the Rattanakosin period which affected most of the major roles within the community as a commercial market and a secondary role as a residential area. (3) the late Rattanakosin period: it was a period of changes that turned Rattanakosin into the modern era. it affected most of its major roles as the trading market and secondary role as a residential area including cultural attractions. These three periods represented the preservation and symbols of the social group and adaptation according to conditions over time through the emergence of relationships between people, areas, activities, and environment. The results of this study will be useful in terms of knowledge based on the history of Rattanakosin Island and the development of the traditional communities within Rattanakosin Island and raising awareness toward the value and importance of the traditional community on the development and preservation according to the contemporary and sustainable approach.