Mapping the lived experiences of Bangkok’s soi

Abstract

One of the most distinctive urban characteristics of Bangkok is its sois. Soi is an alley that branches out from the main thoroughfares. This terminology applies to both the artery system of streets and canals. Soi is considered as a sub-street or a tertiary type in the hierarchy of the streets of Bangkok, the spatial layout of which follows old agricultural patterns of the water based settlement. They produce the labyrinth-like spatial and social configurations initiated by various agreements and practices between the landowners and residents. The public investment in road infrastructure couldn’t cope with the speed of urbanisation in Bangkok. Apart from the main roads constructed by the public authorities, the soi where the majority of population in Bangkok lives is created by private initiative. For this paper, I only present part of the bigger project, which is still on going. In this very initial state of my investigation, I focus only on one family; mine.