Place and identity processes: remarks from Thailand fieldworks on gentrification

Abstract

In Thailand, place and identity processes, and gentrification are two relevant aspects rarely problematized in urban conservation and development. Replacement by newcomers matches the definition of gentrification when their thinking and living patterns disrupt the local ways of life and affect the neighborhood’s identity on both physical and social characteristics entwined into the place making. Collective fieldwork experience of the authors combining the cases of Banglamphu in Bangkok old town and Amphawa in Samut Songkram province led to the analysis of values and meanings of cultural environment and heritage significantly impacted by tourism and conservation driven gentrification. The site surveys sectioned the psychological environment variables derived from the place and identity processes into three main parts: (1) place distinctiveness, (2) place continuity, and (3) self-esteem/efficacy. Suggestions targeting urban planners and decision makers or stakeholders in tourism regeneration and conservation-led development planning are; (1) Identification of an area, in which its name and boundary do not concur with government’s administrative approach, affecting on management of cultural heritage place, (2) The matter of small things and intangible or lost values that have become vivid cultural memories and should be cautiously considered for tourism usages, and (3) Impacts from development projects towards the local everyday life, which keep pushing and alienating people from their own place.