Tragedy of the Commons of the Historical Canal in the Historic City, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the environmental impact levels of Khlong Tho and its surrounding areas. Khlong Tho (Tho Canal) is one of the historical canals in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province that has remained in use until the present day. It is a valuable and essential resource in the World Heritage site area. In order to investigate the environmental impact levels of Khlong Tho as a common pool resource, 4 aspects of the canal are measured:  physical resources, biological resources, its human use values and its values on quality of life. The questionnaire 382 samples collected data from people in 4 areas (communities): Khlong Tho, Sappasamitr, Sri Sanpetch and Suan Somdej community, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya district, Ayutthaya province.

The findings showed the canal’s degradation has high environmental impacts, especially in the physical aspects and the values on people’s quality of life. This is due to inappropriated uses of human beings. These behaviors resulted in the tragedy of commons in Khlong Tho. This tragedy was not only in the substractability of other resource users in the community, but also in the decreased beauty of the historic canals of Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province. This information will be beneficial for local people and agencies to restore and reserve historic canals.