KHLONG: BANGKOK CANALS REVITALIZA- TION

Abstract

The study is aimed to argue that khlong in Bangkok that lie across the city is still a valuable asset. It can be brought back to life. Bangkok is similar to many cities around the world that is water bourn. Canals are called khlong in Thai even though the definition is slightly different. Khlong is very valuable to Bangkok as it is the origin of Bangkok. Without Khlong Lat Bangkok excavation during the time of Ayutthaya, Bangkok would not have been Bangkok today. But the development of Bangkok has shifted from water to land. Khlong was then been neglected, encroached, and left in bad conditions. Water in khlong is polluted. And khlong does not connect to the people as like before. Problems related to khlong are increasing and awakening problem is the flood in 2011. The flood make the people look back to khlong and seek for revitalization. Khlong revitalizations projects are initiated in many khlong and many directions. Some are successful some are not. The researcher has concluded that khlong can still be reviving in a sustainable development direction toward water-based city that suit the geological attribute of Bangkok.