The Conservation of Traditional Waterfront Markets in Thailand

Abstract

Once the economic center of the water-based community, the traditional waterfront markets of the fl ood plains were surrounded by paddy fi elds and mixed orchards. The major mode of transportation was water. The markets were trading centers for products from fresh-water and brackish areas, those from the sea as well as commodities from big cities such as Bangkok. With the development of inland transportation modes during the mid 20th century, the importance of these markets decreased, resulting in the relocation and the deterioration of the buildings. From 2002 the idea of transforming traditional waterfront markets into tourist attractions led to the participation of local governments, various organizations and market communities to conserve and restore sleepy traditional waterfront markets for tourism purpose.