Patterns of the Spatial Distribution of Urbanized Areas in Thailand

Abstract

     The research analyzed the patterns of spatial distribution of urbanized areas, and the trend of urban primacy in Thailand. Focus was on the urbanized area only at the provincial level. This research applied mixed methods with the emphasis on satellite image interpretation and direct field surveys to acquire qualitative data. Quantitative data were accessed from relevant offices' websites. Descriptive statistics and content analysis were used. The research findings revealed that the spatial distribution of urbanized areas in Thailand remained a ‘primate pattern’ having Bangkok as the only large city at the size of a metropolis. Nevertheless, there was a tendency of a declining condition indicated by the decrease in the primacy index or ratio of the population of the primate city and the second largest city from 34.9 in 2003 to 23.9 in 2010. A highlight was Had Yai that became the second largest urban agglomeration. As a result, Songkhla shifted its city ranking from the 6th province that accommodated largest number of urban populations in 2006 to the 3rd in 2010. As cities have outgrown their jurisdictions due to inefficiencies in enforcing the master plan to control land use; the urbanized areas of Bangkok Metropolis, Chiang Mai and Nakhon Ratchasima provinces have freely expanded along road networks. The urban forms were developed accordingly. It is recommended to reformulate the development strategies of regional centers to place emphasis on the specialization and the geographical conditions of each region in order to reduce the condition of urban primacy. In addition, planning measures should be enforced and coordination among local authorities in the connected urban areas should be facilitated to solve the problems resulting from ‘underbounded’ city expansion.