NAJUA: History of Architecture and Thai Architecture

Architectural Integration within the Buddhavasa Area during the Rattanakosin Period: From the Reign of King Rama V to the Present (1877–2024)

Khongdet Wasikham, Pratima Nimsamer — Mon, 29 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0700

This article examines the integration of buildings within the Buddhavasa (sacred precinct) of Buddhist temples during the Rattanakosin period, from the reign of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) to the present (1877–2024). The research employs historical document review and field surveys as its primary methodologies. The findings indicate that, prior to the reign of King Rama V, buildings within the Buddhavasa were designed as independent architectural entities with distinct functions, such as the ordination hall (ubosot), assembly hall (wihan), and stupa (chedi). However, the analysis identified twenty-five buildings constructed during the study period in which different architectural forms and functions were integrated into a single structure, departing from the conventional layout traditionally found within the Buddhavasa. The study found that between two and five building types were combined in various configurations. These integrated buildings can be categorized into four groups: 1) horizontal-axis integration, 2) vertical-axis integration, 3) combined horizontal-vertical axis integration, and 4) combined horizontal-vertical axis integration on an elevated platform. The connections were achieved through transitional spaces or circulation areas, such as circumambulatory terraces, as well as through architectural elements including subsidiary roof projections, direct building-to-building connections, or sequential arrangements reflecting hierarchical importance. Six case studies were selected based on their clear architectural transformations and well-documented historical backgrounds: the ordination halls of Wat Niwet Thammaprawat, Wat Atsadang Nimit, Wat Samphanthawongsaram, Wat Sothon Wararam Worawihan, Wat Thang Sai, and Wat Pa Thammakhiri.

The evolution of building integration within the Buddhavasa can be divided into two phases. The first phase occurred during the reign of King Rama V, when architectural forms began to diverge from traditional conventions under the influence of Western architecture, resulting in the integration of only two building types. During the reigns of King Rama VI to King Rama VIII, no significant examples of integrated buildings were identified, as temple development focused primarily on restoring and conserving existing religious structures. The second phase emerged during the reigns of King Rama IX and King Rama X, when the functional and spatial organization of the Buddhavasa underwent substantial transformation. Buildings increasingly incorporated more than two architectural types, while multipurpose spaces became widely integrated into the sacred precinct. These developments resulted from external factors, including social and economic influences, alongside the adoption of foreign artistic and technological knowledge. Internal factors also played a role, such as site constraints, visual considerations, and the intentions of patrons and designers. Building integration within the Buddhavasa can therefore be understood as an adaptive response to the changing needs and contexts of modern society. It reflects an architectural approach that seeks to reconcile traditional Thai architectural aesthetics with contemporary functional requirements, resulting in greater flexibility in the use of sacred spaces and a broader range of spatial experiences and perceptions.

The Development and Significance of Decorative Motifs on Façade Wall Elements in Western-Style Architecture in Thailand

Wiroj Sheewasukthaworn — Mon, 29 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0700

This article aims to present the development and significance of decorative motifs on building façades influenced by Western architecture during the reigns of King Rama V and VI of the Rattanakosin era. This period marked a turning point in the country's modernization, aligning it more closely with developed nations amid national reforms and the pressures of Western imperialism. Building façades are significant decorative elements; they create the first impression for viewers and serve as a symbolic link between architecture and society.

This study examines conceptual frameworks concerning the façade wall in symbolic and sociocultural terms and applies them to the analysis of selected case studies. It employs a qualitative research methodology based on documentary research and fieldwork, together with a comparative study of various factors through selected examples of Western-influenced architecture constructed during the period under investigation. The criteria for selecting the case studies include buildings that demonstrate Western architectural influence and were constructed during the reigns of King Rama V and King Rama VI; buildings that display distinctive façade wall elements in terms of form and composition; buildings with sufficiently intact decorative motifs that can be clearly analyzed; and buildings of historical value or significance as representatives of the social and architectural contexts of the period. This approach aims to explain the development of formal characteristics alongside an interpretation of symbolic meanings within the specific context of Thai society.

The findings of this study identify three principal roles and significances of the façade wall in Thai architecture influenced by Western architectural traditions. First, the façade wall functions as the “image” of the building. It is the first architectural element perceived by viewers and plays a role in organizing visual perception and establishing a hierarchy of recognition, thereby reflecting the character and identity of the building. Second, the façade wall serves as a symbolic mechanism for expressing the status and authority of the patron or the state in the production of architecture. The patron or the state may have shaped the conceptual framework and design direction alongside the architect. Decorative forms, therefore, should not be understood solely as the result of artistic creation; rather, they constitute a “construction of authoritative identity” determined by the central authority and articulated through architectural elements. Third, the façade wall reflects concepts of beauty and aesthetics derived from classical conventions, which represented an internationally recognized system of aesthetic values. The forms that appeared in these buildings were not adopted through direct imitation, but were reinterpreted and adapted to suit a different cultural context. As a result, the façade wall became a cultural field in which beauty, power, and social identity were integrated. In conclusion, the façade wall was adapted and reinterpreted in accordance with the cultural context of Thai society. It became a site where international forms, local identity, and state authority were integrated into a coherent architectural expression. This clearly reflects the process through which Thai society entered modernity.

Urban Dynamics of Nakhon Ratchasima's Historic Quarter: Transformations and the Roles of Ethnic Groups

Marisa Hiranteeyakul, Nopadon Thungsakul — Mon, 29 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0700

This article examines the urban dynamics of the historic quarter of Nakhon Ratchasima and the roles of ethnic groups in driving socio-economic transformation. The study applies the concept of the production of space proposed by Henri Lefebvre, combined with historical document analysis, field surveys, and in-depth interviews with representatives of ethnic groups in the area. The analysis covers the period from 1656 CE to the present and can be divided into three main phases. The first phase, prior to 1657 CE, represents the formative period of the historic urban area and the initial settlement of early ethnic groups, characterized by a stratified social structure and an agrarian-based economy. The second phase, from 1657 CE to 1900 CE, marks the emergence of ethnic diversity, particularly with the migration of Chinese communities and the transition toward a trade-based economy. A significant turning point occurred with the opening of the Bangkok–Nakhon Ratchasima railway in 1900 CE, which accelerated migration and commercial expansion. The third phase, from 1900 CE to the present, reflects the transformation of the area into a multicultural society and a commercial center. The findings reveal that the production of social space in the historic quarter of Nakhon Ratchasima follows a discernible sequence. It begins with conceived space shaped by the centralized planning of the Siamese state, followed by perceived space formed through settlement patterns and economic activities of various ethnic groups, and finally lived space emerging from collective experiences and shared memories of the community. However, the process of space production in a multicultural context is not strictly linear but rather complex and interconnected. Notably, lived space can resist and negotiate state control, as reflected in the adaptive strategies of Thai-Chinese communities during the nationalist policies of 1941 CE. Each ethnic group has played a distinct role in shaping urban space. Thai-Chinese communities have been the primary drivers of economic development, establishing new commercial areas and transforming spatial power structures. Thai-Sikh communities have contributed to diversity in both economic and cultural dimensions, while ethnic groups of Mon, Lao, Vietnamese, and Khmer descent have laid the cultural foundations and social hybridity of the area. Although the historic quarter has shifted from a city-level commercial hub to a community-level commercial district due to urban expansion, it continues to reflect the significant roles of ethnic groups in urban development across different periods. This study highlights the importance of inclusive participation and collaborative mechanisms in urban planning to guide future development while preserving cultural diversity.

Reconstructing the Ayutthaya Kingdom Waterway Network

Poomipat Norapoompipat, Kreangkrai Kirdsiri — Mon, 29 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0700

Water culture was the heart of the city of Ayutthaya during the Ayutthaya Kingdom, with one of its most important elements being its waterway network. Known to many as a “water city”, Ayutthaya harnessed natural disasters, such as annual floods, to benefit everyday life. However, water management of the Historic City of Ayutthaya today primarily uses modern techniques with little to no semblance of the traditional techniques efficiently implemented during the Ayutthaya. This article reconstructs the traditional waterway network that existed within Ayutthaya City Island during the Ayutthaya Kingdom to provide a basis for more sustainable preservation of the historic city. It involves identifying the network by analyzing paintings and maps created during the Ayutthaya Kingdom and comparing them with historical documentation and the earliest archaeological survey map. The results are then overlaid onto a base map by cross-referencing the landmarks depicted in the selected works and the archaeological survey map. The article also discusses the importance and heritage of these waterways in relation to the wider city and civilization.

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

Wanida Numsuk — Mon, 29 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0700

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.