The Four Aspect of Cultural Capitals in Old Commercial Districts in the Central Region of Thailand
Article Sidebar
Main Article Content
Abstract
Communities and old commercial districts in the central region of Thailand have history, wisdom, skills, practices, movable goods, architecture and landscapes that can be used as cultural capital to create value for the area further. Generally, cultural capital is defined as tangible and intangible, which can lead to confusion in valuing it, as some cultural capital overlaps between tangible and intangible aspects. This academic article aims to study the characteristics of old commercial districts in the central region of Thailand and to analyse the cultural capital patterns in old commercial districts in the central region of Thailand. The findings from the study found that there are four aspects of cultural capital relevant to local people. 1) Information: Cultural capital transmits via listening, reading, talking and watching. This is related to the moments in people's memories and thoughts in the area. 2) Practice: Cultural capital transmits via practices, activities and processes. This is related to the activities of people in the area. 3) Object: Cultural capital transmits via touching, possession, and use. This is related to people's use in the area. and 4) Place: Cultural capital transmits via atmosphere, senses and space usage. This is related to people's use of space in the area. This is expected to allow for a clearer classification of the forms and relevance of cultural capital, leading to cultural practices, the creation of cultural products and services, the conservation and application of cultural landscapes and heritage, and creative problem-solving for local communities or societies.
Article Details
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Copyright Transfer Statement
The copyright of this article is transferred to Journal of The Faculty of Architecture King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang with effect if and when the article is accepted for publication. The copyright transfer covers the exclusive right to reproduce and distribute the article, including reprints, translations, photographic reproductions, electronic form (offline, online) or any other reproductions of similar nature.
The author warrants that this contribution is original and that he/she has full power to make this grant. The author signs for and accepts responsibility for releasing this material on behalf of any and all co-authors.
References
Bourdieu, P. (1986). The Forms of Capital. In J. Richardson (Ed.), Handbook of Theory and Research for the Sociology of Education (pp. 241-258). Greenwood.
Brown, S. and Goetcheus, C. (2022). Routledge Handbook of Cultural Landscape Practice. Routledge.
Chatmanop, P. (2004). The roles of the central business district of Nakhon Sawan city [Master’s thesis, Chulalongkorn University]. (in Thai)
Chimpalee, S. and Haocharoen, K (2022). Factors Affecting the Changes of Talad-Noi Community, Bangkok. Built Environment Inquiry Journal (BEI), 21(2), 109-27. http://doi.org/10.14456/bei.2022.17 (in Thai)
Chuwaen, Y. (2019). Rescue a Thai local history. Gypzy. (in Thai)
Chuwann, Y. (2002). The significance and scope of local history in the present day. Journal of Arts, Silpakorn University, 25(1), June–November 2002. 102–114. https://so04.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/jasu/article/view/250354 (in Thai)
DiMaggio, P. (1982). Cultural Capital and School Success: The Impact of Status Culture Participation on the Grades of U.S. High School Students. American Sociological Review, 47(2), 189–201. https://doi.org/10.2307/2094962
Hale, J., Green, J. J., & Alston, L. (2023). A systematic review of cultural capital in U.S. community development research. Journal of Rural Studies, 103, 103113, 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrurstud.2023.103113
HKSAR. (2005). A Study on Creativity Index. The Bureau.
Hoebel, E. Adamson. (1972). The Study of Man. McGraw-Hill.
Holt, D. B. (1998). Does cultural capital structure American consumption?. Journal of Consumer Research, 25(1), 1–25. https://doi.org/10.1086/209523
Houbcham, B. (2024). Cultural Landscapes: Design for a Sustainable Community Concept of Sufficieny Economy Philosophy, Case Study Ban Moh Luang Lampang [Doctoral dissertation, Silpakorn University]. (in Thai)
Jaibun, K. (2006). Talat kap Chiwit: Bot Samruat Beungton Keiywkap Kansueksa Rueang Talat Nai Sangkhom Thai [Markets and Lives: A Preliminary Study of Market Studies in Thai Society]. in S. Chaisingkananon (Ed.), Talat Nai Chiwit Chiwit Nai Talat (pp. 19-102). Sirindhorn Anthropology Center (Public Organization). (in Thai)
Jiwakul, K. et al. (1982). Bangkok Market: Expansion and Development. Chulalongkorn University. (in Thai)
Kruthasen, W., Kruthasen, W., Chayabut, S., Wattanakul, T., Khamlai, J., Burikul, T., Samit, A., Thetchabut, S., Chantrachit, K., Aphaibanditkul, S., Thaweewut, N., Saeng-Uthai, K., Nimnuan, S., Panmanee, S., & Thanyacharoen, S. (2023). Development of District by Community Cultural Capital on the Basis of Creative Cultural Economy [Research report, Silpakorn University; Contract No. A13F630083]. Program Management Unit for Area-Based Development (PMU-A). https://pmua.or.th/research/a13f630083/. (In Thai)
Kwanboon, T., Thirawiriyakul, U., Yaemsuan, S., Aphichakul, O. S., Rianthong, S., & Chumnumwat, S. (2022). “Old Town Tells Stories”, Lifelong Learning City, Phitsanulok Municipality, Phitsanulok Province. Complete research report. (in Thai)
Lamont, M., & Lareau, A. (1988). Cultural capital: Allusions, gaps and glissandos in recent theoretical developments. Sociological Theory, 6(2), 153–168. https://doi.org/10.2307/202113
Limthanakul, W. (1994). The impact of modern urban systems on the neighborhood system of people in Bangkok [Master’s thesis, Thammasat University]. Faculty of Sociology and Anthropology. Thammasat University. (in Thai)
Lynch, K. A. (1960). The image of the city. The MIT Press.
McGehee, N.G., Lee, S., O’Bannon, T.L., Perdue, R.R., 2010. Tourism-related social capital and its relationship with other forms of capital: an exploratory study. Journal of Travel Research, 49(4), 486–500. https://doi.org/10.1177/0047287509349271
Phiwongkun, K. (2023). The development of the cultural map for promoting tourism in the creative area, Chiang Rai old town. Journal of Research and Development Institute, Bansomdejchaopraya Rajabhat University, 8(1), 183–198. https://so06.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/rdibsru/article/view/262227 (in Thai)
Prieur, A., & Savage, M. (2013). Emerging Forms of Cultural Capital. European Societies, 15(2), 246–267. https://doi.org/10.1080/14616696.2012.748930
Puriwanchana, S. (2013). Local legends of the central coast and rivers: Harmony in diversity (2nd ed.). Academic Publication Project, Faculty of Arts, Chulalongkorn University. (in Thai)
Royal Gazette. (2016). Cultural Heritage Promotion and Preservation Act B.E. (in Thai)
Ruangjirayos, P. (2018). Performances in Chinese New Year festival at Pak Nam Pho. Chulalongkorn University [Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)]. https://digital.car.chula.ac.th/chulaetd/2951 (In Thai)
Saengthong, S., Vongkamjan, S., & Jedaman, P. (2025). Cultural Identity Revival of Nakhon Sawan Province Toward Chinese Culture City. Interdisciplinary Academic and Research Journal, 5(1), 983–1002. https://doi.org/10.60027/iarj.2025.284283 (in Thai)
Suebwattana, T. (2011). Concepts and guidelines for studying local history. Inthanin. (in Thai)
Tantinipankul, W., Intarapasan, B., & Wongkitkanwanit, A. (2015). Study and survey of the cultural landscape of historic urban community along old Chao Phraya river loop of Thonburi are: case study of communities in Talad Phloo and Wat Phonimit [Subproject 1: Final research report]. Office of the Science, Research and Innovation Promotion Commission (TSRI). https://digital.library.tu.ac.th/tu_dc/frontend/Info/item/dc:55284 (in Thai)
Thanapornphan, R. (2003). Cultural Capital: Culture in the Global Capitalist System, Volume 1. Matichon (in Thai)
Thongiad, I. & Kittiprasarn, K. (2020). Components of Thai Cultural Landscape’s Uniqueness in a Contemporary Context: A Case Study of Pak Phayun Community, Phatthalung Province. Architectural Journal of Khon Kaen University, 19(2), 1–21. https://so01.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/arch-kku/article/view/241113 (in Thai)
Throsby, D. (2001). Economics and Culture. Cambridge University Press.
Ubonwat, Y. (2020). Visual quality assessment of the cultural landscape in Lopburi Province [Master’s thesis, Chulalongkorn University]. Chulalongkorn University, Chulalongkorn University Intellectual Repository. https://doi.org/10.58837/CHULA.THE.2020.967 (in Thai)
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. (1972). Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage. https://whc.unesco.org/en/conventiontext/
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. (2009). Framework for cultural statistics 2009. Montréal: UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
United Nations Conference on Trade and Development. (2022). United Nations Creative Economy Outlook 2022: The International Year of Creative Economy for Sustainable Development – Pathway to Resilient Creative Industries. Geneva & New York: UNCTAD.
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. (2023). Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention. UNESCO World Heritage Centre.
Vallibhotama, S. (2014). Khumu Chukkhit + Khwammai Khong Phumi Watthanatham: Kan Sueksa Chak Phainai Lae Samnuek Khong Thongthin [A Handbook for Reflection + The Meaning of Cultural Landscape: Internal Study and Local Awareness]. Lek-Prapai Viriyaphan Foundation. (in Thai)
World Intellectual Property Organization. (2013). WIPO Draft Guidelines on Assessing the Economic. Social and Cultural Impact of Copyright on the Creative Economy.
Yanyongkesomsuk, R. (2014). Pierre Herbridieu's concept of class and capital. Burapha Journal of Political Economy, 2(1), 29-44. https://so01.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/pegbuu/article/view/199664 (in Thai)
