Bangkok Urban Palimpsest: Traces of Complexity

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Pom Maha Kan – Community – Park

Figure 34 Pom Maha Kan Community source: https://www.matichonweekly.com/column/article_6241

Pom Maha Kan is a fortress built since Bangkok was established as the capital around 1783, located along with the Khlong Ong Ang (outer canal). It is one of the two fortresses that still survived the demolishing in the Rattanakosin Island; another one is Pom Phra Sumen located next to the Chao Phraya River in the earlier chapter. In the past, the border of the city wall was a boat pier which the nobilities used to travel along Khlong Saen Saeb, and houses in this area belonged to the aristocrats. Subsequently, the

noble class relocated to new places and left the old houses for rent. The urban area was growing; people moved in and built new houses, and eventually developed into a community. Pom Maha Kan community had been situated behind the wall for over a hundred years. For this long period, migration was inevitable, but the community had never been desolated. From the small wooden house in the early period, the community had gradually changed as a city growth; some wooden parts were turned into concrete, cheap zinc roof sheets can be seen anywhere.

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