The Study of Vernacular Houses and Architecture of Waterfront Market: A Case Study of Samut Songkhram and Ratchaburi

Abstract

This research aims to investigate the architectural characteristics of riverside market communities located along the lower Mae Klong River Basin in Samut Songkhram and Ratchaburi provinces. The study focuses on identifying architectural typologies, tracing the historical development of settlements, and analyzing the key factors that have shaped the architectural forms of these communities across different historical periods. Additionally, the research seeks to examine the factors that contribute to the sustainability and continued existence of each riverside market community. The findings indicate that the architectural forms observed in the five case studies can be categorized into three typical types: (1) wooden row houses, (2) vernacular wooden houses, and (3) newly adapted buildings. The factors influencing the resilience and survival of riverside market communities in Samut Songkhram and Ratchaburi provinces can be classified into three main dimensions: (1) physical and environmental factors, (2) social and cultural factors, and (3) economic and tourism-related factors.