The Sustainable Development in Aumphawa District,
Samut Songkhram Province, Thailand

by Associate Professor Suphawadee Ratanamart
Faculty of Architecture,
King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang ,
Bangkok 10520 , Thailand
Email: suphawa@uni.net.th
Site Reference

Abstract

1.Introduction to Aumphawa district and environment

     The mangrove forest is formed around the connection of the land mass and the body of water, particularly around the rivers and canals that have fresh water flowing to the sea, and mixing with the saltwater to become brackish water. Thailand has 7.5% of the mangrove forest located in the eastern region, 3.3% in the central region, and 89.2% in the southern region, and in Samut Songkram province has approximately 0.01% of the whole country (surveyed on 1996). The province thus has abundance in food source and resources, as the mangrove forest is the breeding and caring ground for various small marine creatures that includes shrimps, snails, crabs and fish, and the vegetation that grows in abundance is the Sonneratia, the small tree of the family Myrsinaceae and the mangrove tree, etc.

     Aumphawa district, one of the area in Samut Songkram province that comprises of some remaining parts of the mangrove forest that brings moisture and serenity to the region as well as the ecological balance of Aumphawa land. The people of the community have always acted to preserve the environment. The riverside community featuring housing constructed from wood that is still amazingly preserved and is presented the Architectural Conservation Award on the year 2002 by the Association of Siamese Architects under Royal Patronage. One of the symbols that indicate the good quality of the water of Aumphawa canal and Maeklong River is the presence of fireflies that inhabit near the Sonneratia (Lumpoo plant) and give off flash light to attract the tourists for more than 60 years.

Fig.1. An atmosphere of the riverside on Aumphawa community along the canal

Fig.2. A firefly is the symbol of the ecological balance.

2. Aumphawa district and the sustainable Development

     The relationship between rivers and canals and lifestyle of Thai people is closely tied, that found the riverside culture of Thailand as the riverbanks are abundant with the natural resources. As the fertile agricultural area results from the accumulation of residues and minerals in the soil, the important food source comes from the aquatic life forms in the rivers and canals. The usage of water source as the primary route transportation allows for the establishment of the riverside community that prospers much in the past. The flourishing economy is brought about by the commerce on the rivers and canals, or the floating market, but the features that set aside Aumphawa and Samut Songkram from other riverside communities in Thailand are the natural environment and the cultural features. The natural environment is the mangrove forest that comprises of the pure water, the abundance of food sources and resources, small marine creatures and fireflies. From the past till present the people of Aumphawa have benefited from the usage of these natural resources and the amazing ecological system. By far the natural safety system that results from the mangrove forest is the low-cost investment in preserving the environment.

     The cultural features are the lifestyle of the riverside community on Auphawa canal that still manages to maintain the identity of the initial establishment that is the riverside wooden houses that face both banks of the canals, with the arcades and the stairs leading down to the dock. Even though the transportation by boat may not be as popular as in the past, the villagers still utilize the waterway in trading as the evening water market. Besides those activities, there are the arts and architecture that feature the identity of Thailand , for examples: the historical places of King Rama II Park and Wat Aumphawan Jetiyaram which was the birthplace of King Rama II.

3.Summary

     The riverside community of Aumphawa canal is one of the preservation champaigns that depict the lifestyle of the past to the point of highest prosperity, which is the same lifestyle that continues prevail the environment that is filled with natural and cultural values. However, if we are not aware of these natural resources utilization, they will disappear from existence in no time. The steps to be taken are as follows:

• Maintaining the areas of the mangrove forest: as the forest area has been damaged by the landfill and the construction of industrial areas to sustain the cultivation of shrimps and releasing the pollution into the rivers and canals without conducting the proper waste treatment procedures.
• Preserving the water source which is the life support of the Thai people. Maintain the cleanliness and promote the right conscience in the utilization of the valuable natural resource, by not depositing the waste materials from houses and agricultural and industrial sectors without conducting the proper waste treatment procedures, and educating the people of the community to monitor and reduce the level of pollution in the water source.
• Promoting and fostering the arts and culture of Thailand to last in time.

Fig.3 Aumphawa canal contains a unique Thai lifestyle.	Fig.4 The museum of king Rama II is a group of four traditional Thai houses in the Central Region.