People and Common Water Monitor: Social Dimensions and Cultural Landscape of the Bang Hia Area from the Past and Present to Sustainability in the Future

Abstract

Nowadays, there are many concepts that “Hia” or common water monitor as a harmless animal but it has a lot of benefits. In terms of ecosystems, it is a scavenger animal and every part of the body is useful whether be eggs, meat or skin can be made into utensils and medicine. But in the past, people viewed “Hia” as an animal and an inauspicious word according to ancient beliefs. Many people, therefore, use the term “gold and silver animal” instead. Even any kinds of discourse have to be changed according to social beliefs. Bang Hia or now Khlong Dan is in Bang Bo District, Samut Prakan Province. It is an old community since the Ayutthaya period. In the past, the area was called “Bang Hia” because this area was abundant with shrimps, shells, crabs, and fish, so there were a lot of common water monitors. But during the reign of King Rama 4-5, the word “Hia” was perceived as vulgar and unfortunate. Later during the period of Field Marshal P. Pibulsongkram, there was a geographic name change policy involved from Khlong Bang Hia to Khlong Dan and Wat Bang Hia to Wat Mongkhon Kothawat. Social and cultural dimensions have changed which started with people. Land acquisition for occupation from the mangrove forest to the place. “Hia” lived before was transformed into an area to build houses and has changed from an over-water community to a land community. As a result, the roles and numbers of “Hia” have been reduced according to the evolution of people and society in the community. Therefore, this article would like to present the attitudes towards people and Hia to Bang Hia areas (past) to develop in order to understand the benefits of living together (present) and lead to local development that is mutually beneficial (future).