The Use of Public Space for Walking Street Market in Thai Urban Cities

Abstract

This paper discusses the use of public space for walking street markets in order to understand the dynamics of this usage. Based on fieldwork in 15 walking streets in 14 provinces of Thailand, the findings reveal that walking street markets can be found in a variety of sizes, spatial and social elements, and spatial management. At the same time, there are many characteristics shared by walking streets with socio-cultural activities resulting from similar lessons and experiences. Thai walking streets are intended to promote tourism, the local economy, and social life in the cities, but they sometimes neglect to take into account the conditions, rights and freedoms of pedestrians. The concept of Thai walking street reflects the combined concepts of public space and markets on public streets, thereby changing the role of the street into a city’s new social space. This knowledge demonstrates public space use in Thailand which can be beneficial in both academic and practical terms for the development of this space. This research calls for continuing studies of walking streets and public space that help us understand the long-term use of public space in our own context.