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The objective of this research is to study and analize the orign and the changes of cnanls (klong) in Bangkok and the areas near-by from the year the city was founded (1782) until the bicentennial celebration year (1982). By and large, this study concentrates on Man-made Canals or "Dug Canals" (Klong Kut) mentioned in historical records or proven by reliable evidences, and evaluates the changes of "Dug Canals" and their effect upon Bangkok. This study consists of five chapters. Following the introduction is the first chapter concerning the general environment of Bangkok (Thonburi and Bangkok area) which affected the "Dug Canals" project. "Dug Canals" in Bangkok and adjacent areas before the founding of the city was mentioned in this chapter as weel. The second chapter concerned directly with all "Dug Canals" in Bangkok prior the Bowring Treaty. "Dug Canals" after the Bowring Treaty to the reign of King Rama V was explained in chapter three. All "Canals dug" between King Rama II's reign up intil the year 1957 appeared in the fourth chapter. The fifth chapter focussed on the "Dug Canals" in the contemporary period (1957-1982). This research ended with the conclusion which consisted of too parts, the first part dealt with the origin and the changes of the canals in Bangkok briefly, and the second part involved the analysis and the evaluation of the effect of "Dug Canals" on Bangkok city in the past and the present. It may be considered that the summary is just as important as other chapters and made the study complete. The result of this research revealed that Bangkok and the areas near-by which are in the capital boundary had has number of "Dug Canals" before Rattanakosin period. The objective of digging canals at that time were first, for the benefit of defensive strategy and second, for the facility of the water-way transportation. The objectives mentioned above had been kept in will by the government up until the time before the Bowring Treaty was signed. It is quite obvious that the reason of digging canalsfor defensive purpose was replaced by an economic purpose after the treaty. Indeed, the new and significant objective of "/dug Canals" which the Thai government endeavored to pursue was to enlarge arable land for rice cultivation. However, the purpose of "Dug Canals" for the facility of transportation is still retained. Undoubtedly, the crucial change of this domestic policy of "Dug Canals" plan was because rice, in the reign of King Rama V. started to be classified as an export goods according to the agreement in the Bowring Treaty. Rice at that period become more important and was required by the world market in term of quantity out only the government of King Rama V dug many new canals and repaired a number of old canals in Bangkok and adjacent areas, but also attempted to develop the land transportation to some extent. The result of this research disclosed that the governments of the first five Rattanakosin kings had the policy of maintaining and developing water-ways in the capital boundary by diggingnew canals and restoring the old ones. In the reigns of King Rama the fourth and the fifth, the governments imposed a number of laws to protect the canals for efficient use and to develop the traffic rule of the water-ways. Nevertheless, the "Dug Canals", especially in the Bangkok area, have been neglected by the users and the Thai governments since the reign of King Rama VI to the present regime. There is no doubt that the act of long neglect of the responsible institution have brought about the problems of shallow canals and water pollution. During this period, some canals have been filled and replaced by new roads. To sum up, the serious situation as to the loss of "Dug Canals" in numerous manners is themajor cause of pollutions in Bangkok at present. In short, this study might be able to stimulate the present Bangkok population to look back into the past during the reign of King Rama I to King Rama V of Rattanakosin, and realize that their forbears had laid out the city panning by considering the importance of canals for various usages. This doing made Bangkok clean, beautiful, shady and cool and intervening with canals large and small and often called "Vencie of the East", quite different from what it is at present. If the canals have been constantly maintained as our previous generation had done, today Bangkok residents would have a better mental and psychical health than than they are having now. |
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