jaue2015019: Understanding Public Spaces of Indeterminacy of Bangkok

Abstract

Impacts on globalization occur every part of the world. Southeast Asia is one of the areas in the world that have fastest growing economy. People in Thailand have a strong sweeping as well form globalization, especially in Bangkok, Thailand's capital. There are many evidences created and shown to accept this sweeping change. Urban sprawl, large amount of high-rise office buildings, and condominium in the business area of Bangkok are great examples of the sudden changes in Thai people's life style. New expressway and highways are built and connected to many major areas in the city. New means of public transportation are expanding to all around the outskirt of Bangkok. These evidences might signify great development and urban sprawl expanding in the city of Bangkok. This might not include the majority of the people who lives in Thailand. They are middle-class, working-class, and grass-root class. While the city is growing in one direction with all accessories that come with it, like high-rise buildings and highways, it is very clear that the majority of people are not moving as fast as the city, and fortunately they survive. It seems that Thai people is very easy to adapt to any life styles. They can enjoy their life in any circumstance, including the use of public spaces. The area undemeath the highway sometimes is turmed to be the residential space or the recreational space, whether or not it is legal or permitted by the city. The city does not have new law that can cover all these quick changes. Thai people are also very creative when it relates to their needs to survive, so the new and interesting use of spaces are created continuously. This study is trying to explore and understand the creation of this interesting spaces, in creative ways and to serve people's needs. These spaces become indeterminate because they are uncertain and created by local people in unofficial ways. However, the spaces are interesting because they reflect the real need for locals. Many questions remain if Thailand adopts the globalization too fast, or social basis is not ready for these changes, or it is acceptable for the changes. The study is raising the awareness, so the city authority may consider what is needed and lacked for its people. It is hopefully for the authority to embed the planning of these spaces when pursuing the concept of growing city. This study also provides discussion in many cases of spaces found in Thai society, and analysis on their appropriateness and suggestions.