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The International Journal of the Royal Society of Thailand

Volume XVI-2024 (Special Issue)

The initial city-building phase took approximately three years, with the design inspired by

Ayutthaya regarding city planning, temple and palace locations, and the construction of canals.
King Rama I ordered the first city inauguration ceremony to be held in 1785.

King Rama I ordered the construction of canals around the city to expand its territory,
extending eastward and southward. The city walls, gates, and fortifications were also built

along these canals. Afterward, His Majesty ordered the digging of two more canals, Khlong Lod,
from the original Khlong Ku Muang in the Thonburi period to connect with the new city moat

for the purpose of water level management. After the completion of canal digging and city wall
construction, the Chinese community turned out to be located outside the city walls. King Rama I

also ordered further digging of the original canals to make them deeper. These developments
served strategic purposes, providing an outer defensive layer. It was considered the first line of

defense against enemies from outside before reaching the city walls and forts on the city walls,
which were located along the canals. These were the second line of defense before reaching

Khlong Lod, the walls of the Grand Palace and various forts on the walls of the Grand Palace,
which together form the innermost line of defense. When Bangkok was first established as

the new capital of Thailand, the city was strategically planned with three defensive layers.
At the same time, these canals were utilized as transportation routes, just like in the Ayutthaya

and Thonburi periods. This was considered appropriate for the conditions of the country and
the environment at that time. In addition, His Majesty wanted to preserve the original form

of the Ayutthaya period as a psychological measure to boost the morale of the majority of
the people who were already familiar with Ayutthaya. This helped create a sense of familiarity

and security among the people, many of whom had been displaced by the fall of Ayutthaya
and the turbulent Thonburi era. It also helped encourage population consolidation in Bangkok.

In addition, canals were utilized in defining city boundaries and maintaining an organized
layout. The city moat, particularly, marked the boundary between Bangkok and its suburbs,

with Khlong Maha Nak serving as a connecting route to the eastern suburbs, and divided the
suburbs into 2 parts, northern and southern parts. The availability of water encouraged settlers

to establish homes with abundant resources for consumption and trade. It wa also a source
of aquatic animals for consumption and exchange, as well as a route for business and trade.

During the period of the physical foundation of Bangkok, rivers and canals served as the primary
transportation network, with the Chao Phraya River as the main artery. A vast system of natural

and man-made canals branched out from the river, facilitating settlement, travel, and trade. This
extensive waterway network earned Bangkok the moniker “Venice of the East” among foreigners.

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