People, space, urban and industry

A matter of interaction of people with urbanization and industrialization in Phra Pradaeng city during the Development Period

Abstract

This article explores the interaction between people, urbanization, and industrialization in Phra Pradaeng since Field Marshal Sarit Thanarat imported Western developmental discourse to improve Thailand’s fundamental structure become a newly industrialized country (NIC). Phra Pradaeng was a strategic area to handle the expansion of Bangkok factories after. Thus, it underwent major changes, particularly in terms of physical structure, which in turn affected the ways of life of its people. The increase of factories saw the old communities embraced by factories. There were newcomers migrating to the area, both factory workers and those from the service sector to cater to the growing demands in this area. Phra Pradaeng was transformed into a commercial and residential area, and became so crowded that slums emerged.

This article aims to study three main points – the clash between old town and new industrial zones in Phra Pradaeng in Development Era; The commercialization of Phra Pradaeng communities; and the slums and residential areas in Phra Pradaeng and its neighboring areas.