The Fall, Existence and a Restoration Model of Community Bazaars along the Tha Chin River

Abstract

This research aimed to study the history of the community bazaars along the Thachin river, to analyze factors that caused the collapse of some bazaars, to analyze factors that helped sustain the existence of some bazaars and to propose an appropriate model for restoration of the bazaars. The research findings revealed that there were 16 community bazaars along the Thachin river in the area of Suphanburi. All of them existed and prospered in the time that the river was used for main transportation some 100 years ago. The bazaars functioned as merchandise exchanges for local agriculture products and consumer goods such as soap, toothpaste, detergent and clothes from Bangkok. The external factors causing the collapse of some bazaars were the development of land transportation, the construction of the bridge across the Tha Chin River, the rise market fairs, the emergence of commercial retail establishments and convenience stores, and the policy of community leaders and local administrative organizations which paid no attention to the traditional bazaars. The internal factors were a lack of unity and selfishness among the members in community, lack of participation of those involved and migration of people in the community. The external factor that helped sustain the existence of some bazaars was the collaboration from outside networks, while the internal factors were the cooperation among the people in community, strengths of each bazaar and uncompromising policy of community leaders. An appropriate model for the restoration of the bazaars along the Tha Chin River in the Suphanburi area puts great emphasis on the liveliness of the bazaar, the cooperation and the sustainable incomes of the sellers. The model suggested in this research consisted of 4 steps: a) analyzing self-potential and sharing the vision of the bazaar, b) analyzing purchaser’s needs, c) creating the network for mutual learning both inside and outside the community; d) having a plan of action with clear and strict implementation and formative assessment at certain times for resolution and improvement on the foundation of community culture.