CREATIVE DESTRUCTION

Sam Yan reveals how urban redevelopment is erasing historic landmarks and local memories

- STORY AND PHOTOS: THANA BOONLERT

Salinee Hanvareevongsilp's family moved home for a job opportunity when she was five and the land was subsequently developed into Siam Square in 1965. Still, it remained her favourite haunt. She frequented three movie theatres in the area — Siam, Scala and Lido. In Matthayom 3, she protested against Japanese goods on Rama I Road.

"Places that hold memories are all gone," she said.

Sa-nguan Khumrunroj echoed the same view, bringing back fading memories of movie theatres, talent scouts, bookstores and restaurants, such as Daidomon and Seefah.

"It has completely changed. I thought it would culminate with Siam Square and Mah Boon Krong [MBK Center]. But it is teeming with unrecognisable buildings."

Salinee and Sa-nguan joined a walking tour of Sam Yan recently. The Sam Yan Heritage Walks are organised by Netiwit Chotiphatphaisal, founder and executive editor of Sam Yan Press, to educate the public about the area's history. Netiwit and other students have also campaigned against the demolition of the Chao Mae Thapthim Shrine. Their award-winning documentary The Last Breath Of Sam Yan brought attention to gentrification.

King Rama VI combined several institutions into Chulalongkorn University in 1916. He allowed the campus to use a vast tract of land south of Rama I Road. Chulalongkorn University owns around 1,153 rai of land in the area. While 637 rai is used for education and 131 rai is leased to state agencies, the Property Management of Chulalongkorn University (PMCU) is also managing financial districts, mainly Siam and Sam Yan, spanning over 385 rai.