Indian Community Heritage : Case Study of Soi 3 (Nana) Sukhumvit Road.

Abstract

55056954: MAJOR: ARCHITECTURAL HERITAGE MANAGEMENT AND TOURISM

PRISANA MUNPAO: INDIAN COMMUNITY HERITAGE: A CASE STUDY OF SOI 3 (NANA) ON SUKHUMVIT ROAD, BANGKOK.

THESIS ADVISOR: PROFESSOR ROSS JAMES KING, Ph.D 105 pp

Four objectives of this study were (1) to study the background to the Indian migration to Thailand, (2) to study the history of the Nana Indian commercial community, (3) to observe that community in its interactions with the diverse cultures of the tourists to the Nana district as well as with the host culture (Thai, Burmese, Thai-Lao) and (4) to seek explanations for the observable phenomena of in the Nana precinct.

The first result highlighted the freedom granted by Britain which allowed Indian to escape the religious conflict prevalent within their region in the 1940s. Many Indians moved to Thailand, then others had no choice but to follow their parents in the move. Thailand was a relatively peaceful place where foreigners could find work and own a business.

The second result indicated that Pahurat and Sampeng were congested and that led the Indians to move into the Nana enclave after Sukhumvit road was completed in 1950. The Indians focused on tailor shops, Indian restaurants and mixed shops to Western visitors, wealthy Thais, Middle Easterners, and more lately East Asian tourists.

The third revealed Thai, Burmese, Thai-Lao and Indians having maintained their cultural heritage from their ancestors such as in careers, costumes, languages, architecture, and food.

In relation to the fourth objective, the Nana precinct was interpreted as (1) spectacle, (2) unity in diversity, (3) commoditization, (4) political economy and (5) hedonistic and medical tourism.

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