Historical evolution of Bangkok(1782-1910): from water-basedcity to the emergence of road-based city

Abstract

This paper focuses on the development process of Bangkok involving its transformation into a road-based city and eventually the ‘real center’ of Siam during 1782-1910. Even though its development into a road-based city was not directly related to its transformation into the real center of the kingdom, this important change significantly enhanced its power-center status. From the time Bangkok was designated to be the seat of royal government in 1782, the city gradually became a ‘floating city’ with a relatively prosperous network of waterways through continuous efforts of the former three sovereigns before King Rama IV and King Rama V ascended the throne. From 1861 onwards, modern roads emerged in this central city and increasingly could compete with the original waterways, which had significantly represented and supported the features and the function of the city at that time. What is more, Bangkok began to redefine its role as the ‘real center’ of the kingdom in political, economic and cultural terms, which chiefly owed to its gradual transformation through the modernization and centralization of the country during the reigns of King Rama Ⅳ-Ⅴ. This article discusses the transformation of transportation means in Bangkok during 1861-1910. What was the impact of the modernization of transport modes upon the development of the capital city in terms of its identity? What contributed to the construction of roadways during the reigns of King Rama Ⅳ-Ⅴ?