The Conservation and Development Guideline of Lomkao Market Community, Lomkao District, Phetchabun Province.

Abstract

Lomkao Market Community, Lomkao District, Phetchabun Province is an old community that still remains as the center of Lomkao. Its identity of Thai Lom Ethnic group has been transferred physically, culturally, and traditionally for over a hundred years to our generation. From the survey, rows of 122 wooden houses are found in complete patterns of shophouses. These houses were built in a wooden structure style with pillars and beams that mostly resemble the traditional and former style of the historical settlement, which are worth conserving for the succession of Lom Kao’s story line. The 122 houses consist of 28 complete single-story wooden rowhouses and 94 complete 2-story wooden rowhouses. The participatory research method was conducted with the community people and the relevant network to find the guidelines for conservation and community development, as follows: 1) The community should be developed as an old commercial area, and the buildings and landscapes along the roadsides should be conserved and renovated for the greatest usage efficiency. 2) The community’s main road and intersection should be used for community activities and festive events while pedestrian paths should be all connected, adequately leveled, safe and easy to use. 3) The open space or public areas where Lom Kao people have access to and use with the sense of shared ownership should be safe in terms of impartial management and usage for all. 4) The Lom Kao Visitor Center and its front part should be the center of trading activities, public relations or activities that involve Lom Kao people. This can be the center of the past stories as well as a place that allows tourists and community people to realize the value and identity of Lom Kao Municipality Market community. In addition, the architectural features of shophouses in Lom Kao Municipal Market should be renovated or redesigned to be mostly in accordance with the original characteristics both in terms of the building elements, size and proportion, safety, suitable lighting, good ventilation, and fire protection. The height of 2-story buildings should be limited to equal the height of the old zone, i.e., not exceeding 8 meters; while the height of 3-story buildings should not exceed 15 meters or equal to the Treasury Department building. Moreover, the renovations or new buildings construction must take into account the context of the old market district of Lom Kao. This should be based on the process of participation with local people in the community in order to raise awareness and create unity in the conservation and development of one’s own community.