Physical and economic change in Bangkok, 1851-1925.

This paper explains the major patterns of physical change in Bangkok from 1851 brought about by the expansion of canals and roads and the attendant development of new suburbs, From around 1890 we see clearly a change in Bangkok from a water-based city to a land-based city. This paper argues that the period from around 1890 to 1910 is significant in Bangkok's development. One characteristic of road building in Bangkok is that it was accompanied by the acti ve investment of the Privy Purse Bureau in row houses. Roads brough t about great change in the physical and economic landscape of the capital from 1890. This paper explains the enormous physical growth and economic diversification of Bangkok during the period 1851-1925Y From the 1890s. the city changed from one based on water (river and canals) to one based on roads. This was the era of the building of row houses. the tram. and other innovations. Two of the themes highlighted here are: (1) the growth of Bangkok as a major international port; and (2) the role of investment, particularly by the Privy Purse Bureau. in changing the physical shape of the capital. In emphasizing change from the 1890s, this study adopts the perspective of economic turning points rather than the more familiar perspective of Thai historiography that usually looks at the various reigns as separate entities, By the 1850s. Bangkok was a city tn transition, changing from a moated and fortified city into a large commercial city. Before 1851, Bangkok was mainly concentrated within the area of). The author is grateful to Professor Malcolm Falkus and anonymous referees for their helpful comments on an earlier draft of this paper, and grateful too. to Professor Peter Hawkes for the editorial work. I should like to acknowledge with gratitude financial support for postdoctoral research from the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (jSPS). Sole responsibility for the views expressed here, of course. rests with the author. 1) The author is at present preparing an economic history of Bangkok in the period 1880-1930, emphasizing aspects of population. physical change and urban government. The project is being conducted under the supervision of Professor Tsubouchi Yoshihiro. Graduate School of Asian and African Area Studies. Kyoto University. I am very grateful for his comments and encouragement.