The Spatial Development of Hua Lam Phong District, Bangkok

Abstract

The study of the development of the Hua Lam Phong district, Bangkok, has the purpose to study the progress and transition of the Hua Lam Phong district from the past to the present. Because the area has the role as the crucial rail transportation in Bangkok and also as the location of Bangkok railway station (Hua Lam Phong station). Moreover, in the present day, the “Relocated plan of the rail transport hub From Bangkok Station to Bang Sue Grand Station” by the State Railway of Thailand is being processed. The study of the progress and transition of the Hua Lam Phong district from the past to the present, considering from physical characteristics, economies, societies, plans, policies, and related projects, is going to inform and explain the roles and factors that influence the transition of Hua Lam Phong district. In addition, the study of the general conditions and issues of the Hua Lam Phong district in the present will be lead to problem analysis. The study of relationships between people, activities, and the spaces of each area within the
Hua Lam Phong district is for conducting the suggestion of the development of the Hua Lam Phong district.

The study found that in the past, the Hua Lam Phong district has the role of the crucial rail transportation in Bangkok because it is the location of Bangkok railway station (Hua Lam Phong station) which function as the central hub of public transportation and goods shipment of all-region toward Bangkok. And due to the area condition and enormous substructure, lead to the emergence of activities hub (Node) among the passengers, tourists, and merchants in both Thai and Chinese. This contributes to the establishment of the commercial buildings surrounding the area which conduct the business that is highly related to the railway station. Afterward, there is the transition from the result of “Relocated plan of goods shipping toward Phaholyothin district” and “Si Rat Expressway projects” which impact the persistence of activities and traffic within the area. Until nowadays, the Hua Lam Phong district still performs as the central hub of rail transportation. However, Due to the area’s lifetime and the massive wave of people accessing the area to conduct business for 105 years, the area has degenerated in the aspect of environment and landscape in some space within the area. There are congestion and disorganization problems at the traffic transfer point, pavements problems that are difficult to traffic, including most of the commercial buildings are damaged and deteriorated. This led to the suggestion of the development of the Hua Lam Phong district in physical characteristics, economic, social aspects in order to improve and revise the present issues considering from concordance of the area’s conditions, the demanding of people within the area, and Master plan and conceptual design to develop the area around the Bangkok Railway Station by the State Railway of Thailand.