Abstract:
To study the social consciousness development process in Banglumpoo community. This research emphasizes on conditions that create the consciousness in the context of Banglumpoo community as well as the problems and obstacles in developing the social consciousness. The research was conducted using the qualitative research method. Data collection was done using participative observation and in-depth interviews with key persons in the community as well as focus group discussion. The result shows that the 5th Bangkok Metropolitan Development Plan (B.E. 2540-2544) introduced the "Health Cities" framework as a guideline for Bangkok development. This framework was inline with the idea of Pichit Rattakul, the former governor. As a result, he adapted this framework into "Desirable City" policy and granted all support to the Bangkok Forum to bring the policy into real practice. The Bangkok Forum then acted as a catalyst for Banglumpoo community to launch the first ever, "Walking Street". Since then, the Banglumpoo community has played a key role for public activities development. The process of social consciousness development in the Banglumpoo community is created from the community's identity formed by three major groups, namely "Prachakom Banglumpoo", "Kasorn Youth Group of Banglumpoo", and "Duriyapraneet Foundation" through the use of public space, "Santichaiprakarn Park" which in turn forms an interest group on public activities. These activities were used as a media to depict community identity. Such identity induces love and care for the community's assets which become social consciousness eventually. The social consciousness has brought about community's attempt to create activities that ultimately formed the "Sense of Public", in other words, the sense of belonging in identities of Banglumpoo community, or the public consciousness of Banglumpoo. Ultimately, the public consciousness of Banglumpoo community will generate great social power in social movement to negotiate with the government regarding the protection of the Kuruspha Building and also the case against the expansion of cultural tourism in such society in order to protect the existence of the community's people and interest group. The research also shows that the social consciousness of Banglumpoo community exists under the following conditions, namely, social capital, culture and history, community's identity, leader, individual's social consciousness, community's communication and activites, public space, participation form outsiders, and community's reputation as presented in many case studies. In addition, the business expansion on khaw Sam Road is also driving the social consciousness in Banglumpoo community. Lastly, the problems and obstacles of the social consciousness development derive form discontinuity of social activists, community's disputes, independency of residence, lack of government support, and discrimination of community participation. These positive and negative factors influence the development of the social consciousness in Banglumpoo community.