Author: Nopadon Sahachaisaeree
AIT Library Call Number: AIT Thesis no. HS-80-08
Year: 1980
Academic Program: Human Settlement (HS)
Type: Thesis (M.Sc.) – Asian Institute of Technology, 1982
Examination Committee: Hans Detlef Kammeier (Chairperson); Raymon W. Archer, Apichat Wongkaew (Examination Committee Members)
Abstract: The town centre of Phuket in Southern Thailand consists of a large number of old Chinese shophouses. While this may constitute a case for architectural conservation, it may be in conflict with the requirements of modern urban development as well as with the interests of shophouse owners and dwellers. This study aims at analyzing the architectural and functional features of traditional shophouses in Phuket in view of exploring possibilities for a future policy of conservation. For reasons of comparability, George Town, the capital of Penang Island in Malaysia was included in this study as its city centre consists of very similar Chinese shophouses. The study categorizes the traditional shophouses into four main types that were constructed between 1880 and 1940, and describes their architectural details. Also, a survey on socio-economic conditions and dwellers’ attitudes was conducted. It was found that a large majority of dwellers are satisfied with their living and working environment in traditional shophouses. Furthermore, most of the residents have shown considerable interest in a conservation policy. Based on these findings as well as on an assessment of existing plans and legal regulations, objectives, scope and procedures of an appropriate conservation policy for Phuket are formulated in outline.
Scholarship Donor(s): USAID/ASEAN, The United States of America
Note: A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science
Advisory: Full-text is available at https://library.ait.ac.th/ (accessible to local ip address only)
