From Canal to Concrete: Tracing the Chronological Transformation and Traditional Knowledge of Bangkok’s Eastern Canal-Side Communities

Abstract

This study investigates the transformation of Bangkok—formerly Rattanakosin—from a water-centric settlement into a modern metropolis, with particular attention to the context-specific characteristics of local canal-side communities. Historically, Bangkok’s waterways played a crucial role in shaping its urban fabric, economic life, and cultural identity. However, rapid urban development has significantly altered this cultural landscape, reshaping both the physical environment and community life. Building upon existing historical literature, this paper adopts an ethnographic and case-study approach to explore the socio-cultural dynamics of three eastern canal-side communities along the Bang Lamphu and Saen Saep Canals. The methodology integrates archival and documentary research, policy analysis, and in-depth fieldwork with residents and experts, employing qualitative analysis to interpret the findings. Central emphasis is placed on the chronology of change and the driving forces of transformation across different historical periods within three study sites. Traditional practices and local knowledge, which have long sustained community life, are examined to assess their continued relevance amid shifting urban conditions. The findings reveal multiple dynamics influencing the evolution of canal-side communities, including economic transitions and industrialisation, land-use change and urban densification, shifts in lifestyle and cultural practices, and land-management interventions, all of which contribute to ecological degradation and increased social vulnerability. Importantly, the study highlights the enduring value of indigenous knowledge systems in informing contemporary approaches to waterway management. These insights underscore the potential of such systems to address pressing challenges posed by urbanisation and environmental uncertainty. By situating Bangkok’s urban evolution within a broader Southeast Asian context, the research contributes to discourses on heritage preservation and sustainable urban development, offering lessons for integrating cultural heritage and community knowledge into contemporary planning practices.