Mapping the lived experiences of Bangkok’s soi

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Cover image: Wall painted in the context of the Scoundrel Memory Exhibition, Museo de Bogota by Buytronick, Chirrete, Mecamutanterio, Zas-Inha, Stinkfish, Juan Canales & Jungla. Bogota, Colombia. Picture by Leonardo Parra-Agudelo.
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Published: Oct 16, 2016
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5204/jps.v1i1.9
Keywords:
public space Bangkok superblock soi mapping

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Davisi Boontharm
Sophia University

Abstract

One of the most distinctive urban characteristics of Bangkok is its sois. Soi is an alley that branches out from the main thoroughfares. This terminology applies to both the artery system of streets and canals. Soi is considered as a sub-street or a tertiary type in the hierarchy of the streets of Bangkok, the spatial layout of which follows old agricultural patterns of the water based settlement. They produce the labyrinth-like spatial and social configurations initiated by various agreements and practices between the landowners and residents. The public investment in road infrastructure couldn’t cope with the speed of urbanisation in Bangkok. Apart from the main roads constructed by the public authorities, the soi where the majority of population in Bangkok lives is created by private initiative.
For this paper, I only present part of the bigger project, which is still on going. In this very initial state of my investigation, I focus only on one family; mine.

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How to Cite
Boontharm, D. (2016) “Mapping the lived experiences of Bangkok’s soi”, The Journal of Public Space, 1(1), pp. 43–52. doi: 10.5204/jps.v1i1.9.
Issue
Vol. 1 No. 1 (2016)
Section
Overview

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Author Biography

Davisi Boontharm, Sophia University

Davisi is architect and urbanist who has lived and worked in Europe, Asia and Australia. Her teaching and research interests include culturally sustainable architecture and urbanism, commercial space and creative milieu in Asian Cities (Tokyo, Bangkok, Singapore), Southeast Asian vernacular urban form (shophouse). Her recent research books include In the Search of Urban Quality: 100 Maps of Kuhonbutsukawa Street, Jiyugaoka (IKI and Flick Studio with Radović, 2014), Tokyo-Bangkok-Singapore : Intensities, Reuse and Creative Milieu (IKI and Flick Studio, 2013), Future Asian Space (NUS Press, with Hee and Viray, 2012), small Tokyo (IKI and Flick Studio with Radović, 2012). Her interest in cities also found its expression in creative work. She has exhibited drawings and paintings in Tokyo, Split and Vis (Croatia).

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