APPROPRIATE CONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGY FOR RESIDENCE IN CHAO PHRAYA RIVER ESTUARY : A case study of Sakla Village

Abstract

Construction technology from the West plays an important role in building construction in Thailand, especially in the last 50 years. Major cities can absorb this latest technology faster and greater than any other city due to personnel, organization and capital. Thus the construction of small or large buildings using brand new technology have been constructed extravagantly and carelessly. Moreover, this trend also extends to other regions of the country which lead to the neglect of folk wisdom. The wisdom of local construction has been substituted by new technology without concern for the geography of the area. In 1996, however, the economic crisis caused construction business to come to a halt. The cost of oversea technology had greatly increased due to the baht flotation policy. At that time, many manufacturers and contractors went bankrupt including small building owners in rural areas. Even though construction problems from the past seemed to be relieved some signs of financial crisis can still be found these days. In order to prevent the problems occurring again appropriate construction technology must be studied to create resiliency for society.