TITLE:
The Influence of Commercial Development by Quasi-Public Agencies on the Urban Spatial Pattern of Pathumwan District, Bangkok, Thailand
AUTHORS:
Nicha Tantivess, David J. Edelman
KEYWORDS:
Post-Thai-Absolute-Monarchy, Quasi-Public Agency, The Crown Property Bureau (CPB), Chulalongkorn University, Pathumwan District, Bangkok
JOURNAL NAME:
Current Urban Studies,
Vol.9 No.2,
April
21,
2021
ABSTRACT: This
paper defines the urban spatial pattern of the Pathumwan District in Bangkok
after the end of the period of Thai absolute monarchy in 1932, although the
monarchy still maintained important influence in the area. The district is
known as a prime commercial zone of the capital city where Siam BTS Station,
one of the busiest Bangkok mass transit
hubs, is located. Unlike other commercial areas in Bangkok, the district
represents images of a modern city with traces of royal traditional elements in
the period of Thai absolute monarchy. The research data were collected from
archival materials including official documents, newspapers, magazines, and
other related publications. The results show that the Crown Property Bureau
(CPB) and Chulalongkorn University, two large and powerful quasi-public
agencies, are the major influential landlords whose properties absorb a huge
amount of investment, as well as generate commercial clusters, with intense commercial
competition among business groups, along the corridor of Rama I-Sukhumvit Road.
Investors try to sustain their clusters, but those with less economic strength
are forced to leave the area.