Abstract:
This research study investigated conditions and factors relating to spatial configuration and socio-economic characteristics that had facilitated the processes of emergence and transformation of waterfront community markets in Tha Chin River basin. The researcher took into consideration the spatial configuration and socio-economic characteristics of the area from the past to the present. This included the conditions and factors that have made recent transformations of the markets and those that have caused the markets to remain the same. The research project made use of the theory of spatial centrality to describe centrality as a process (Hillier, 1999), the concept of social interaction (Kaufman 1959), the concept of community organization (Somphan techaathik, 1997), system of activities (Chapin, 1972), and system of setting. (Rapoport, 1977) All these theories and concepts were taken into consideration in order to explain individual issues in relation to the transformations of waterfront community markets. Each market has its own unique accounts. The research study is divided into three parts: Part I concentrates on the processes of emergence and transformation of waterfront community markets, including global level with a detailed analysis of secondary data, configurational model, field survey and general interview. Part II are case studies of the processes of emergence and transformation of waterfront community markets of which their details include the existing but less active waterfront markets -- Kao Hong Market; end-of-life or disused waterfront markets -- Ban Grang Market; and regenerated waterfront markets -- Sam Chuk Market. All these case studies were done with reference to secondary data, configurational model, in-dept interview, and questionnaire. Part III are the conclusions of the research study. It also offers the result analysis and theoretical implications as well as policy implications. The research has revealed that spatial configuration is the key and fundamental condition that affects the selecting of a location for waterfront community markets. An advantageous spatial configuration must have high integration values, that is, it can be reached by all kinds of transport available. To illustrate, in the past waterway transport was essential; therefore, it facilitated waterfront community markets. At the present time, the existence of waterfront community markets as well as their transformation depends largely on the socioeconomic conditions of the actors and activity system which evidently characterize the differences of both the existing but less active waterfront markets and the regenerated waterfront markets.