Fort locals should stay longer, says scholar

An urban development expert has praised the social bonds in the Mahakan Fort community, a unique character which he says should be cherished, not destroyed.

Nikhil Joshi, an urban development and cultural heritage professional from National University of Singapore, cited the “Singapore experience” in which the country has demolished old communities, deleting its old charms, in the name of development.

Singapore heritage societies and some conservationists now regret the rapid development of the country, he said. “People are more important than buildings. And tourists don’t come to Bangkok only to drink beer,” said the expert who has been in Bangkok for three-week Urban Heritage and Community Development workshop.

On July 6, City Hall decided that 18 out of 30 houses would be conserved after final negotiations with residents. However, the decision has upset the residents despite a compromise being proposed letting them remain in the community after the site becomes a “living museum”.

He said he wasn’t suggesting the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) give the land title deeds to the community, but the right to live on the plot for a certain period of time, which could be extended another 15 or 20 years. The extension period will be enough for the younger generation to prepare to move, he added.

During the time, the BMA could develop the area into a tourist attraction, under the management of community enterprise which allows residents to co-manage their own community, he said. “If they are not living here, it’s not their home. It’s a fake or dead museum,” he said.

The BMA has put its proposal to spare 18 homes to a tripartite committee, set up earlier by the BMA to work out a solution. The panel held 11 meetings over the past two months. The next meeting is scheduled on July 14.

It has asked members of the committee to sign it. The panel comprises representatives from the community, the BMA, the military, and Association of Siamese Architects (ASA) who volunteered to conduct an appraisal of the historical, cultural, social, and archaeological values of the community. The ASA earlier proposed 24 houses be conserved, but the BMA agreed to keep only 18.

Community leader Tawatchai Voramahakun said the community had no other choice but to agree, although some of the remaining families may have to live under one roof it the BMA wants to keep only 18 houses.

However, Mr Tawatchai asked what kind of quality of life the community would enjoy if that’s the case. “Or does the BMA want the community to be turned into another slum as families are forced to live in tiny spaces?”