Development of Urban Form and Elements of Denchai Town, Phrae Province

Abstract

Denchai was once an importance town on the trade route by pack horse-pack ox due to its strategic location between Eastern and Western Lanna which conveniently connected to other regions further. With the advent of northern rail route, Denchai became the main station of Phrae Province and the station to connect to other provinces in Eastern Lanna by road further because from Denchai station, the rail route from the south will head to the west. Denchai station was also the junction for the rail route to Chiang Rai which was suspended later. After modern roads were constructed in the following period, Denchai still be a meeting point of roads from Eastern and Western Lanna, Lower northern region and Northeastern region. By the way, convenience in transportation by road made popularity of railroad transportation declined. Chang of mode of transportation in each period had influenced the development of urban structure, form and arrangement of its elements and facilities from time to time. The objective of this research is to describe this development process. The method of the study was mainly based on interview with inhabitants and responsible person of the areas or urban elements. Field surveys for observing and collecting data about existing urban structures and elements were also done, using a map produced in 2017 by Municipality Office of Denchai District as a based map for surveying and comparing with old maps, old aerial photos and old photos of the town. Previous studies, reports and records about Denchai were also collected and reviews to compare with received data from fieldwork.      All data were arranged following timeline in order to make distribution and developmental maps of town structures and elements. Drawn maps were read, while factors and influences that gave impact to the structure, form and element arrangement of the town were illustrated in parallel. The study found that Denchai developed from agricultural basin village located along the mouth of the Mae Phuak Canal to the Yom River. The town gradually evolved to trading town after the northern rail route arrived the town and soon after various ethnic groups came to settle, resulting in construction of markets, shophouses, rowhouses, monasteries, government office and other facilities. The town had continuously grown from an area in front of Denchai station to the areas along both sides of Yantarakit Koson Rd., which runs to Phrae city. The road still has been the main structural element of the town until the present day. Nevertheless, Denchai, as a station town, have turned to be silent town after transportation by road was fully developed and gained more popularity than railroad.