Critical Connections: Forum on Cultural Studies in Asia and Beyond
16 March 2012, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand

CONFERENCE KEYNOTE SCHOLAR AND GUEST SPEAKER

Ms. Pasita MARUKEE                                                        (Chulalongkorn University)                                                                                                    email: <pasita.me@gmail.com>

"Interpretation for Cultural Tourism Development of Klong Bang Luang Community"

The selected site of study is called herewith Klong Bang Luang Community.  It is located in the inner Klong Bang Luang or Klong Bangkok Yai between two temples—Wat Kamapaeng Bangchak and Wat Khuhasawan, Phasee Charoen District, Bangkok.  The historic community was settled by Thai and Chinese some 80-70 years ago and was developed into Thalad Wat Sala Si Na, a vibrant water-based market and district of goldsmith.  However, after land transportation was introduced, waterway gradually lost its significance.  The vigorous and energetic attribute of Thalad Wat Sala Si Na gradually disappeared and the wooden shophouses were left to the old ages.   
    
In 2009, cultural tourism was promoted to revitalize the community and marketplace.  Klong Bang Luang community has illustrated continuous social and economic development of water-based settlement; therefore, the community’s cultural significance should be explored in order to develop public awareness, understanding, appreciation and intention to conserve the cultural heritage.  Interpretation is selected to be a tool to communicate Klong Bang Luang’s heritage values to the public.  Furthermore, interpretation will be an integral process that balances the need to use cultural heritage as a tourism product and the need to sustain the significance and the authenticity of place. 

The study found that canal represents a sense of Klong Bang Luang community since it encourages emotional value, social attachment, spiritual belief, cultural activities and economic development.  Local involvement, hence, is a key to initiate community’s inventory and generate a resource-based interpretation in order to assure that their cultural heritage will still be inherited from generation to generation.