Page 144 - The International Journal of the Royal Society of Thailand Vol.XIII-2021

The International Journal of the Royal Society of Thailand
Volume XIII – 2021

- Srinagarind Dam on the Khwai Yai River was built in

1978.
- Vajiralongkorn Dam on the Khwai Noi River was built in
1985.

The use of car and the development of land transport took place drastically
in the late 1957 according to the first National Economic and Social Development

Plan. (Siriwan, 2013) More roads have been constructed; as a result, the importance
of water-based communities has been decreasing. New market centers have emerged
along the roads and they become land-based communities.

Discussion

The settlements of the ethnic groups along the Mae Klong River arising from

the historical events related to the Siamese-Burmese War from the Ayutthaya
Period to the early Rattanakosin Period. Some ethnic groups were taken captives
and brought to settle along the river to help fight in the war and patrol the area.

The Mons, Laotian, Khmer and Vietnamese practice Buddhism and Anamism. They
have assimilated with the Thai.

The Chinese living there are classified into 2 types – the Chinese practicing

Mahayana Buddhism and Christianity (Roman Catholic Church). The largest
number of the Chinese moved to the Mae Klong area when they were hired to dig
Damnoen Saduak Canal the Mahayana Buddhists built shrines and establishments

so that they can perform religious ceremonies there. Some Chinese married Thai
people, so the couple perform religious ceremonies in the shrine during the
vegetarian festival. The Chinese in urban areas played an important in organizing

an association to perform social services. This is a strength of this ethnic group. The
Chinese Christians help raise funds to build churches and schools that strengthen

academic teaching. The Muslims are the last ethnic group to move to this area and
they built a mosque as their spirit of place.

134 Urban Settlements, Religion and Spirit of Places along the Mae Klong River, Thailand