THE PRICE OF PROGRESS

Gentrification of the Sam Yan neighbourhood has led to loss of communal spaces, displacement of residents and businesses

- STORY AND PHOTOS: THANA BOONLERT

Ongoing construction at the former site of Scala is opposite a major predecessor. Opening in 1985 at the corner of Pathumwan Intersection, MBK Center is located on a plot of land leased to Mah Boon Krong Drying and Silo Co Ltd. It features a 20-storey office building and an eight-storey shopping mall.

In recent times, Pathumwan Skywalk has been a popular landmark. Last year, it received a facelift with a new sticker following a viral social media post showing the city's name had gone missing after use for almost two decades. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) immediately responded by covering it with the colourful sticker, which reads "Bangkok" both in Thai and English.

"On the one hand, this change reflects public participation. On the other hand, anything that taints the country's image is a sensitive matter, hence swift action," Artit commented.

A decade-long campaign of artists culminated with the opening of the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre (BACC) in 2008, according to its website. In addition to being caught in a tug of war between public space and a retail project, the BACC has become a political battleground between coupmakers and protesters. A recent flash mob was called in support of the now-defunct Future Forward Party on Dec 14, 2019, following the Election Commission's vote to disband the opposition force.

"The BACC makes the city look civilised. Despite its good intention to promote art to the general public, I think it is more accessible to the middle class," Assoc Prof Thamrongsak said.